[Functional results and survival probability of tumor patients after reconstruction of the mouth cavity and oropharynx using a microvascular radial forearm flap].

In tumor surgery of the oral cavity and oropharynx function and quality of life should be maintained and large resection margins to avoid recurrences. For these purposes the radial forearm flap has proved to be a versatile tissue transfer since it is thin and pliable and has a long vascular pedicle. From 1987 to 1991 we used the radial forearm flap in performing 70 reconstructions of the oral cavity and oropharynx after resection of squamous cell carcinomas. Forty-six patients had carcinomas of the oropharynx, while 24 patients had carcinomas of the oral cavity. The indications for these reconstructions were tumors of the oral cavity and oropharynx greater than T2 which after resection were not suitable for primary closure of the defect. Thirty-seven patients died during the follow-up period, with 36% dying within the first 2 years after operation. Fifty-five percent of these patients died of recurrences, 17% of metastases and 11% of intercurrent diseases. In 17% of cases the cause of death was unknown. The 2-year survival probability was 52% (Kaplan Meier). Our results show that reconstructions with the radial forearm flap do not improve survival rates when compared to the general survival rate in these cases despite a possibly larger resection margin allowing a more radical tumor resection. Thirty-one of the 33 patients still alive underwent following examinations. Forty-six percent of the patients with tumors of the oropharynx and 57% of the patients with tumors of the oral cavity had severe difficulties in swallowing.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)