The use of Mitek pins in the mandibular lingual releasing approach to oral and/or oropharyngeal carcinomas: a technical note.

Resection of carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx requires adequate exposure. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the approach employed (mandibular lingual releasing approach) for resection of some oral cavity or oropharyngeal carcinomas and to point out the indications, advantages, complications, and refinements of this technique. The technique was carried out on 23 patients with oral cavity or oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas. A lingual floor-of-mouth flap was created allowing delivery of the tongue and floor of mouth without lip splitting, mandibulotomy, or mandibulectomy. After resection of the tumour and repair of the defect, the musculature of the floor of the mouth was reattached to the lingual cortex of the mandible using Mitek minianchors. There was adequate exposure in all the patients. Wound margin dehiscence occurred in four patients resulting in an orocervical fistula in three patients. Mandibular osteotomy and subsequent osteosynthesis were avoided. Thus instability and infection of the osteotomy site were avoided. However, additional mandibular osteotomy is feasible.