Reconstruction of the oral cavity using the platysma myocutaneous flap

Reconstruction of intraoral defects after tumor ablation has been accomplished by a variety of different techniques. A platysma myocutaneous flap for intraoral reconstruction is outlined and the surgical technique described. Nineteen of 22 patients in whom this flap was used healed without major complication. In selected patients, the platysma myocutaneous flap is a highly useful one-stage procedure to close defects of the oral cavity. It provides 50 to 75 sq cm of flap coverage. The flap thickness closely matches the thickness of the mucosa of the oral cavity. The donor site is closed primarily with little or no cosmetic defect.