Skin grafts in intraoral reconstruction. A new stenting method

The results of skin graft reconstruction in intraoral cancer in 65 consecutive cases were uniformly good. There were only 11 wound complications and all resolved spontaneously without additional surgery. Skin grafts were used successfully in conjunction with coronal resections of the mandible, incontinuity modified neck dissections, and composite resections. Postoperative radiation therapy had no ill effects on the grafts or oral hygiene. A new stenting method with a dental tissue conditioner was employed. When used to immobilize intraoral skin grafts, it improved oral hygiene and patient deglutition, thereby hastening rehabilitation. The success of grafts performed with the new stent was equal to (if not better than) the success of grafts performed with the traditional stent.