Infrahyoid Flap, a Convenient Alternative for Reconstruction of Tongue and Floor of Mouth Defects: Case Series

The aim of this study was to share our clinical experience with the neurovascular myofasiocutan infrahyoid flap (NMIHF), which was used for the reconstruction of the defects after oral cavity cancer surgery.

Records of five patients who were diagnosed with oral cavity cancer and underwent tumor resection, neck dissection, and defect reconstruction with NMIHF between 2012 and 2017 were analyzed retrospectively.

The infrahyoid flap was used in five patients: four males and one female. The mean age of patients was 61.8 years. Four patients underwent tumor resection and bilateral level I-III neck dissection, whereas one patient underwent tumor resection and unilateral level I-III neck dissection. NMIHF was used for the reconstruction of the defects during the same procedure in all the patients. Mean post-operative follow-up was 30.6 months. Partial skin necrosis was observed in two patients, but none of the patients showed total necrosis of the flap. Postoperatively, oral intake was initiated after an average of 12 days in all patients. For two patients who required post-operative radiotherapy (RT), the treatment was started after an average of 50 days.

NMIHF does not prolong operation time and does not cause additional scar in the neck, and the defect in the donor field can be closed without the use of a graft or flap. This is considered to be a reliable and successful alternative to free flaps for the reconstruction of oral cavity defects.