[The infrahyoid musculocutaneous flap: experience of 153 cases in the reconstruction of the oropharynx and oral cavity after tumoral excision].

The infrahyoid musculocutaneous flap was described by Wang in 1986. The authors utilize this type of flap since 1994 with an importance that increases in the field of head and neck reconstructive surgery. Their experience of 153 reconstructions in oropharynx and oral cavity showed 128 (84%) cases with good cicatrisation and 25 (16%) with complications. In the cases with complications, they noted 17 partials necrosis (50% of the skin area), 4 late cicatrisation and 4 total necrosis. Only the total necrosis necessitated the other new flap. These results show that the fiability and function of this flap creates an indispensable flap in reconstruction of the oropharynx and oral cavity.