[Intra-oral cancer: immediate reconstruction using a free radial forearm flap]

The radial forearm flaps is ideal for intra-oral reconstruction. In that it offers thin, pliable, hairless skin to replace oral mucosa removed during wide resection in surgical treatment of cancer. The vascularity of the area allows considerable variation in design and size of the flap and offers the possibility of covering structures on different levels and, when bone is included, of carrying out immediate reconstruction of the mandible. The Authors used this flap in 24 patients for intra-oral reconstruction. The ages of the subjects ranged from 30 to 70 years. The arteries and the veins of the flap used for microsurgical anastomosis were radial arteries and superficial veins of the elbow. Neck vessels were superior arteries of the thyroid and jugularis externa vein. Operating time was slightly prolonged when compared to repair employing a myocutaneous island flap. This reconstruction method was completely successful in all 24 patients; in one patient a DIC partially compromised the vascularity of the flap on day 8. Morbidity was observed, resouled, however, with minor surgical procedures. Our results support the choice of this method for intraoral reconstruction.