Objective  

Reconstruction of locally advanced oral cancer presents a great challenge to the head and neck surgeon. The main goal of reconstruction is to provide intraoral lining and soft tissue cover. We discuss the use of Bipaddle pectoralis major myoculaneous flap (PMMF) and its modifications for reconstruction of complex oral defects following radical resection.

Study Design  

Retrospective analysis of prospective oral cancer data base.

Setting  

Tertiary Care Regional Cancer Center.

Patients  

Three hundred and ten patients were operated for oral carcinoma in this unit between 1993 and 2001. The oral cancer patients who required soft tissue reconstruction for lining and cover were analyzed. Patients in whom bipaddle PMMF were utilised were studied in terms of surgical technique, morbidity, function and cosmetic outcome.

Results  

Ninety-one (29.4 %) oral cancer patients required reconstruction for lining as well as cover. Of these, 54 (17.4 %) patients underwent a bipaddle PMMF flap reconstruction. Two horizontal skin islands were used in patients with lateral defects and two vertical islands in patients with central defects. There was no complication in 41 (76%) patients. Complete flap loss was seen in only one patient and differential flap loss in 2 patients (4 %) while seven (13 %) patients had only minor complication. All the patients received post-operative Radiotherapy. Good to average functional and cosmetic outcome was observed in 90% patients.

Conclusions  

Bipaddle PMMF offers an effective and leliahle reconstructive option for complex oral defects. By using certain technical modifications, majority of complex oral defects can be managed successfully using a Bipaddle PMMF. In a developing country like India with a large oral cancer disease burden Bipaddle PMMF should he used routinely for complex oral defects in view of its simplicity, versatility and reliability.