MUCOSAL PRELAMINATION OF A RADIAL FOREARM FLAP FOR INTRAORAL RECONSTRUCTION

For reconstruction of intraoral soft-tissue defects after radical rese ction of squamous-cell carcinomas, the microvascular jejunal patch has been a reconstructive graft option of first choice. In addition to ot her advantages, these jejunal grafts are able to produce mucus. In cas es in which the use of jejunal grafts is contraindicated, the fasciocu taneous radial forearm flap has enlarged the spectrum of reconstructiv e options. A disadvantage is that mucus production will be absent, bec ause mucosal and lining reconstruction is performed with tissue lackin g mucus-providing qualities. The authors successfully prelaminated a d istal radial forearm flap with buccal mucosa in five patients. Mucosal prelamination of the distal radial forearm flap enables a physiologic reconstruction with resultant mucus production, in combination with t he provision of thin, pliable, and resistant flaps. The technique lowe rs donor-site morbidity because of the preservation of skin and subcut aneous tissue. Reconstruction with fasciomucosal, osteomyomucosal, and myomucosal flaps by this method seems feasible.