Function evaluation of laryngeal reconstruction using infrahyoid muscle after partial laryngectomy in 37patients.

Treatment of small laryngeal cancerous lesions (T1 and T2) is based on partial endoscopic or open surgery and radiotherapy. In addition to the oncological imperative, these techniques must optimally preserve the functions of breathing, swallowing and phonation. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the above functions in patients treated with supracricoid laryngectomy and reconstruction using infrahyoid muscle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Breathing, swallowing and phonation were analyzed in 37patients treated in two institutes between 2005 and 2015. All patients undergoing the above type of reconstruction with a minimum 1year's follow-up were included. Respiratory study noted any tracheotomy and measured peak inspiratory flow. Preservation of cricoarytenoid units and nasogastric intubation time, and DHI-30 self-administered questionnaire results were collected to analyze swallowing function. Phonation was assessed on the VHI-30 self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The rate of primary surgery without tracheotomy was 64.9% (13patients), with rapid resumption of oral feeding (mean intubation time, 13days). Mean VHI score was 28.3 and mean DHI 30score 2.7. Mean peak inspiratory flow was 203.3mL/min. CONCLUSION: Supracricoid laryngectomy with reconstruction using subhyoid muscle is an alternative technique for the treatment of small laryngeal cancerous lesions, providing uncomplicated functional outcome.

Platinum rechallenge in recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma after primary chemoradiation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate platinum rechallenge efficacy and tolerance in patients presenting recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) after platinum-based chemoradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively included all patients treated from 2007 to 2016 by platinum-based polychemotherapy for recurrence of HNSCC previously treated by primary or postsurgical platinum-based chemoradiation. The primary end-point was disease control rate (DCR) on platinum rechallenge. RESULTS: Forty-five patients were included. Median disease-free interval (DFI) after chemoradiation was 5.7 months. DCR on platinum rechallenge was 40%. Progression-free survival at recurrence was 3.7 months and overall survival 5.0 months. DCR in patients with recurrence within 6 months of chemoradiotherapy was 47.8%. DFI>4.5 months was associated with better DCR: 28.5% versus 54.8%; P=0.0311. CONCLUSION: Platinum rechallenge provided good DCR in recurrent HNSCC after chemoradiation.

Review of sentinel node procedure in cN0 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Guidelines from the French evaluation cooperative subgroup of GETTEC.

The reliability of the sentinel lymph node (SN) technique has been established for more than ten years in T1-T2 oral cavity and oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma. Although most authors stress the necessity of rigorous implementation, there are no agreed guidelines. Moreover, other indications have been described, in other anatomical areas of the upper aerodigestive tract and in case of previous surgery or radiotherapy. SN expert teams, under the GETTEC head and neck tumor study group, conducted a review of the key points for implementation in head and neck cancers through guidelines and a review of classical and extended indications. Reliability depends on respecting key points of preoperative landmarking by lymphoscintigraphy, and intraoperative SN sampling and histological analysis. The SN technique is the best means of diagnosing occult lymph node involvement, whatever the primary tumor location, T stage or patient history.

Long-term update of the 24954 EORTC phase III trial on larynx preservation.

The long-term results of the EORTC 24954 trial comparing sequential versus alternating chemotherapy and radiotherapy (RT) for patients with locally advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer are reported. From 1996 to 2004, 450 patients were randomly assigned (1-1) to a sequential arm (SA = induction cisplatin-5fluorouracil followed by a 70Gy-RT for the responders or a total laryngectomy and post-operative RT for the non-responders) and an alternating arm (AA = cisplatin-5fluorouracil alternated with three 2-week courses of 20 Gy-RT for a total dose of 60 Gy). Median follow-up was 10.2 years. Ten-year survival with functional larynx (primary end-point) and overall survival were similar in both arms (18.7% and 33.6% in SA versus 18.3% and 31.6% in AA). Late toxicity was also similar; however, a trend for higher larynx preservation and better laryngeal function was observed in AA.

Cervical lymph node metastases and T1 squamous cell carcinoma of the lips.

OBJECTIVE: The occurrence of cervical lymph node metastasis is a major prognostic factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lip. This study focuses on patients with T1 stage tumours,in order to describe the prevalence of metastatic lymphadenopathies. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was performed in three tertiary care referral centers and included 59 patients surgically treated for T1 stage SCC of the lips from January 1996 to December 2006. This surgical treatment concerned the tumour, with cervical neck dissection when lymph node metastasis was suspected. RESULTS: Cervical lymph node metastasis was found and histologically proven in 7 patients (11.9% of the cases, pN+ group; 95% confidence interval, 3.6 to 20.2%) during follow-up, never at the time of diagnosis. Metastasis appeared 13.3 ± 7.9 months (min. 5.3 months, max. 29.1 months) after the initial treatment and involved the IB level in all cases. Tumour progression was significantly longer in the pN+ group compared to patients with no lymph node metastases (sN-group). The pN+ group also had a significantly higher proportion of poorly or moderately differentiated tumours, and a significant decrease in overall survival, disease-free survival, and disease-specific survival. CONCLUSION: Lymph node metastasis occurs in roughly 12% of T1 stage SCC of the lips, and the management of neck lymph node areas is necessary. A randomized trial is needed to determine the proportion of occult lymph node metastases in T1N0 patients and the impact of this therapeutic procedure on survival.

Guidelines update: Post-treatment follow-up of adult head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Screening for metastasis and metachronous esophageal and bronchial locations.

OBJECTIVE: The present article is an update of the guideline of the French Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (SFORL) on the post-treatment follow-up of adult head and neck squamous cell carcinoma concerning screening for metastasis and metachronous esophageal and bronchial locations. METHODS: A multidisciplinary work-group was entrusted with a review of the literature on the above topic. Guidelines were drawn up, based on the articles retrieved and the work-group members' own experience. These were then reviewed by an editorial group independent of the work-group. A coordination meeting then finalized the guidelines. Guidelines were graded A, B, C or "expert opinion" according to decreasing level of evidence.

Guidelines of the French Society of Otorhinolaryngology (SFORL), short version. Diagnosis of local recurrence and metachronous locations in head and neck oncology.

Surveillance is fundamental to the management of head and neck cancer. The present guidelines of the French ENT society (SFORL) were drawn up by a group of experts in the field, and are intended to specify the modalities of management, based on a review of the literature and, where data are lacking, to provide expert opinion. The present paper deals with guidelines for the diagnosis of local and regional recurrence and metachronous head and neck locations. Locoregional recurrence usually occurs within 3 years of primary treatment and is mainly related to the characteristics of the primary tumor and the treatment measures taken. Laryngeal location, safe primary resection margins, low level of lymph node invasion, unimodal primary treatment and early diagnosis of recurrence are factors of good prognosis. Systematic imaging surveillance may be considered for patients for whom a curative technique exists and when surveillance is difficult. The role of PET-scanning remains to be determined. Metachronous locations are frequent, even in the late course; prolonged surveillance is appropriate. The best preventive measure is cessation of alcohol abuse and smoking. Patient education is primordial.

Laryngeal preservation in ENT oncology. Retrospective series of 246 patients managed in the Caen University Hospital and François Baclesse Cancer Care Center between 1998 and 2008.

OBJECTIVES: A 10-year retrospective study investigated factors for survival and laryngeal preservation in advanced laryngeal, hypopharyngeal or epilaryngeal neoplasia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Two hundred and forty-six patients with advanced cancer of the larynx (17.48%), hypopharynx (48.78%) or epilarynx (33.74%) undergoing primary organ-sparing treatment were included from 1998 to 2008. Treatment comprised chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy for 92.68% of patients, isolated radiation therapy for 1.6% and concomitant or sequential radiation-chemotherapy for 5.7%. General health status, history and tumor status were recorded. Factors influencing survival were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier estimator, log-rank test and Cox models. RESULTS: Median overall survival of the population was 2.3 years and median laryngeal preservation 0.99 years in male patients and 2 years in female patients. Survival correlated significantly with body mass index (BMI; P=0.0004), WHO performance status (P=0.0064), alcohol consumption (P=0.0004) and cessation (P<0.0001) and also T stage (P=0.0038), initial laryngeal mobility (P=0.0002) and post-chemotherapy assessment (P<0.0001). Survival with functional larynx correlated with baseline BMI at first consultation (P=0.016), baseline WHO grade (P=0.0005), laryngeal mobility (P<0.0001), T staging (P=0.0009), and T and/or N chemotherapy response to a classical organ preservation protocol (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Over and above established criteria, the present study highlighted the importance of general health and nutritional status during treatment.

[Advances in head and neck cancers on behalf of the French Intergroup ORL and GORTEC]. / Évolution des concepts dans les cancers des voies aérodigestives supérieures, sous l'égide de l'Intergroupe ORL (GORTEC, GETTEC, GERCOR).

Head and neck cancers are the fifth among the most common cancers in France. Two thirds of cases occur at an advanced stage. For advanced disease, progression-free survival, despite undeniable progress, remains below 50% at three years. The last 20 years have been marked by the necessity to identify situations where less intense surgery and/or radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy is possible without jeopardizing the prognosis, and situations where a therapeutic intensification is necessary and results in a gain in survival while better preserving function with less toxicity. French cooperative groups gathering radiation oncologists (GORTEC), surgeons (GETTEC) and medical oncologists or physicians involved in the management of systemic treatments in head and neck cancers (GERCOR) are now belonging to the INCa-labelled Intergroup ORL to deal with the challenges of head and neck cancers.

Exclusive radiotherapy for stage T1-T2N0M0 lanryngeal cancer: retrospective study of 59 patients at CFB and CHU de Caen.

OBJECTIVE: Study of patients with stage T1N0M0 or T2N0M0 glottic cancer treated by exclusive radiotherapy and comparison of the survival and functional results of this series with those of the literature. METHOD: Retrospective study of stage T1N0M0 or T2N0M0 glottic cancers diagnosed between 1st January 2000 and 31st December 2010 and treated by exclusive radiotherapy. Evaluation of survival, recurrence and larynx preservation rates. STUDY CENTRES: CLCC François-Baclesse and CHU de Caen. PATIENTS: Fifty-nine patients (53 men and sixwomen) treated for glottic cancer (57 squamous cell carcinomas, two verrucous carcinomas) comprising 51 T1N0M0 and eight T2N0M0 tumours. Treatment with exclusive radiotherapy (mean dose of 70 Grays limited to the thyroid cartilage for 57 patients, with lymph node irradiation for two patients). RESULTS: In this series, five (9.8%) patients with stage T1N0M0 glottic cancer and three patients (37.5%) with stage T2N0M0 glottic cancer relapsed, corresponding to a global recurrence rate of 13.6%. Three of the eight recurrences involved lymph nodes exclusively (N), two patients relapsed exclusively at the primary tumour site (T) and three patients presented local and lymph node recurrence (T and N). Treatment consisted of salvage total laryngectomy with bilateral cervical lymph node dissection in three cases, bilateral cervical lymph node dissection and sensitized radiotherapy in two cases, exclusive chemotherapy in one case, cervical lymph node dissection and cervical radiotherapy in one case. The last patient with recurrence died prior to salvage therapy. The larynx preservation rate was 94.9%. CONCLUSION: In comparison with the literature, treatment of stage T1-T2N0M0 glottic cancer by exclusive radiotherapy gives very good results, with a larynx preservation rate of 95%.

Initial staging for squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth, larynx and pharynx (except nasopharynx). Part 3: general assessment. 2012 SFORL recommendations.

OBJECTIVES: The French Society of Otorhinolaryngology (SFORL) set up a work group to draw up guidelines for initial staging of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Locoregional and remote extension assessment are dealt with in two separate reports. The present part 3 deals with the assessment of frequent associated symptoms and pathologies, requiring early treatment and the collection of data on a certain number of clinical and paraclinical parameters for therapeutic decision-making in the multidisciplinary team meeting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multidisciplinary critical analysis of the literature was conducted. General assessment here covers screening, assessment and initial management of the following: usual risk factors (smoking, alcohol, HPV), the most frequent medical comorbidities, nutritional status, social and psychological status, dental status, pain and possible anemia. As oncologic management frequently associates surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, the underlying examinations should be early, as part of initial staging. The levels of evidence for the examinations were estimated so as to grade guidelines, failing which expert consensuses were established. RESULTS: The high rates of pain, malnutrition and anemia call for systematic screening and early management, especially as rapidly effective treatments exist. Assessing comorbidity and social and psychological status enables general health status to be assessed, along with possible contraindications to the usual treatments. Tracheal intubation problems may require intubation under flexible endoscopy or jet-ventilation by inter-cricothyroid catheterization from the diagnostic endoscopy stage. Assessment and adapted dental care should be conducted if radiation therapy is likely or certain. CONCLUSION: Early management of symptoms and comorbidity and anticipation of subsequent treatment are intended to shorten initial staging time and to collate the data needed for therapeutic decision-making. This assessment should be performed at the same time as the locoregional and remote extension assessment, and is obviously to be adapted according to tumoral extension stage and the possible treatment options.

Initial staging of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, larynx and pharynx (excluding nasopharynx). Part I: Locoregional extension assessment: 2012 SFORL guidelines.

OBJECTIVES: To set out good practice guidelines for locoregional extension assessment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (excluding nasopharynx, nasal cavities and sinuses). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A critical multidisciplinary review of the literature on locoregional extension assessment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck was conducted, applying levels of evidence in line with the French health authority's (HAS) literature analysis guide of January 2000. CONCLUSION: Based on the levels of evidence of the selected articles and on work-group consensus, graded guidelines are set out for clinical, endoscopic and imaging locoregional extension assessment of head and neck cancer.

Initial staging of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, larynx and pharynx (excluding nasopharynx). Part 2: Remote extension assessment and exploration for secondary synchronous locations outside of the upper aerodigestive tract. 2012 SFORL guidelines.

OBJECTIVES: This report presents the French Society of ORL (SFORL) guidelines for exploration for remote metastasis and synchronous second cancer in initial staging of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An exhaustive literature review was analyzed by a multidisciplinary work-group. RESULTS: The thorax is the most frequent location of remote metastases and synchronous second cancer outside of the upper aerodigestive tract. Thoracic CT is recommended as first-line examination in all cases (grade B). 18-FDG PET/CT is recommended when the thoracic CT image is doubtful or in case of high metastatic risk (grade B), for the detection of non-pulmonary remote metastasis. Esophageal exploration is recommended in case of significant risk of synchronous esophageal cancer (hypopharyngeal or oropharyngeal tumor, chronic alcohol intoxication) (grade B). The reference examination is flexible endoscopy of the upper digestive tract (grade B). CONCLUSION: The present grade B recommendations rationalize the roles of the various first-line radiological and endoscopic examinations for remote metastasis and synchronous second cancer, so as to limit the number of examinations performed, thereby reducing the time needed for initial staging.

Pre-therapeutic histological and cytological assessment in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. French Society of Otorhinolaryngology Guidelines--2012.

OBJECTIVES: The authors present the French Society of Otorhinolaryngology (SFORL) guidelines for histopathologic assessment of head and neck cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: [corrected] A multidisciplinary workgroup set up by the SFORL performed an exhaustive review of the literature according to levels of evidence, following the 2000 guidelines of the French national health approvals and assessment agency (ANAES). RESULTS: Comparison between histologic and clinical data is essential. In case of discrepancy between clinical, radiological and histological findings, reinterpretation or new biopsy may be required (professional consensus). Mere suspicion of carcinoma on fine-needle aspiration lymph-node biopsy only exceptionally warrants aggressive treatment (professional consensus). Exploration for HPV is not recommended as routine practice, being without therapeutic impact (professional consensus). Anti-p16 immunohistochemistry is optional, for epidemiological purposes (professional consensus). Tumor-bank tissue storage must conform strictly to prevailing legislation and good practice rules for sampling and preservation (professional consensus). CONCLUSION: Pathology assessment is mandatory in suspected H&N squamous cell carcinoma. The present guidelines are intended to optimize management.

Laryngeal preservation with induction chemotherapy for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: 10-year results of EORTC trial 24891.

BACKGROUND: We report the 10-year results of the EORTC trial 24891 comparing a larynx-preservation approach to immediate surgery in hypopharynx and lateral epilarynx squamous cell carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred and two patients were randomized to either the surgical approach (total laryngectomy with partial pharyngectomy and neck dissection, followed by irradiation) or to the chemotherapy arm up to three cycles of induction chemotherapy (cisplatin 100 mg/m(2) day 1 + 5-FU 1000 mg/m(2) day 1-5) followed for complete responders by irradiation and otherwise by conventional treatment. The end points were overall survival [OS, noninferiority: hazard ratio (preservation/surgery) ≤ 1.428, one-sided α = 0.05], progression-free survival (PFS) and survival with a functional larynx (SFL). RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 10.5 years on 194 eligible patients, disease evolution was seen in 54 and 49 patients in the surgery and chemotherapy arm, respectively, and 81 and 83 patients had died. The 10-year OS rate was 13.8% in the surgery arm and 13.1% in the chemotherapy arm. The 10-year PFS rates were 8.5% and 10.8%, respectively. In the chemotherapy arm, the 10-year SFL rate was 8.7%. CONCLUSION: This strategy did not compromise disease control or survival (that remained poor) and allowed more than half of the survivors to retain their larynx.

Management of the neck in the setting of definitive chemoradiation: is there a consensus? A GETTEC study.

BACKGROUND: The management of the neck remains controversial in the definitive chemoradiation setting of advanced N2-3 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Most published data favor omission of neck dissection (ND) after complete response for N2-3 or selective ND for residual disease METHODS: We studied the patterns of care in the French-Belgian Groupe d'Etude des Tumeurs de la Tête Et du Cou (GETTEC) through a questionnaire-based survey. RESULTS: Eighteen percent of institutions never performed up-front ND, 20% rarely, 40% sometimes, 14% often, and 8% systematically. Induction chemotherapy was indicated in 30% of the cases, and most ND were performed either between induction and radiation or after chemoradiation for residual disease. Response to chemoradiation was assessed by computed tomographic scan and positron emission tomography in 72% of cases. Selective ND was more common than radical ND. CONCLUSIONS: Omission of ND based on computed tomographic scan and positron emission tomography-based complete response to chemoradiation is the most common strategy for advanced nodal disease among centers. However, neck management strategies vary among institutions, and some institutions continue advocating systematic ND before irradiation. The new treatment options and the changing epidemiology, namely docetaxel-based induction chemotherapy and human papilloma virus-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma having better response profiles and prognosis, are adding to the nonconsensual approach. The best therapeutic index in terms of neck management remains to be defined in this evolving context.

Effects of lapatinib monotherapy: results of a randomised phase II study in therapy-naive patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

BACKGROUND: Lapatinib is a dual inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human EGFR-2 (HER-2) tyrosine kinases. This study investigated the pharmacodynamic and clinical effects of lapatinib in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). METHODS: In total, 107 therapy-naive patients with locally advanced SCCHN were randomised (2 : 1) to receive lapatinib or placebo for 2-6 weeks before chemoradiation therapy (CRT). Endpoints included apoptosis and proliferation rates, clinical response, and toxicity. RESULTS: Versus placebo, lapatinib monotherapy did not significantly increase apoptosis detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick-end labelling or caspase-3 assays. A statistically significant decrease in proliferation using Ki67 assay was observed (P=0.030). In a subset of 40 patients that received 4 weeks of lapatinib or placebo, objective response rate (ORR) was 17% (n=4/24) vs 0% (n=0/16). In the lapatinib single-agent responders, all had EGFR overexpression, 50% had EGFR amplification, and 50% had HER2 expression by immunohistochemistry (including one patient with HER2 amplification). However, these patients showed variable modulation of apoptosis, proliferation, and phosphorylated EGFR on drug treatment. Following CRT, there was a statistically non-significant difference in ORR between lapatinib (70%) and placebo (53%). There was no clear correlation between changes in apoptosis or proliferation and response to chemoradiation. Mucosal inflammation, asthenia, odynophagia, and dysphagia were the most commonly reported adverse events with lapatinib. CONCLUSION: Short-term lapatinib monotherapy did not demonstrate apoptotic changes, but provided evidence of clinical activity in locally advanced SCCHN, and warrants further investigation in this disease.

[Thyroid differenciated carcinoma in children. Study from Normandy]. / Cancers thyroïdiens différenciés de l'enfant. l'expérience normande.

OBJECTIVE: Definition of a strategy for the management of thyroid differenciated carcinoma in children. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective cohort study from the Normandy area in France. METHOD: Analysis of the medical records of 13 children and adolescents (age > 15 years), presenting with thyroid differenciated carcinoma in three Normandy French hospitals from 1994 to 2006, to determine the clinical features and treatment of the disease. RESULTS: X of the patients were male and y were female, with a mean age at presentation of 11 years. Most frequently symptom was solitary nodes in the thyroid gland (69%). Most frequent histological type was papillary cancer (92%). Size of tumor was > 4 cm in 23% of cases. Children had undergone surgery with total thyroidectomy, radio-iodine treatment and suppressive hormonotherapy. We observed 46% post surgery complications. All patients were alive and none developed a recurrence. CONCLUSION: Thyroid differenciated carcinoma in children and adolescents were more agressif with most frequently metastasis and recurrence than thyroid differenciated carcinoma of adults. Pronostic is good with 90% of survival at 20 years. We propose a coherent plan of treatment: 1. Thyroidectomy with cervical central lymph node dissection (group VI) completed bilateral selected head neck dissection compartments (groups IIa, III, IV) if macroscopic lymph node metastases in lateral cervical compartment. 2. Postoperative radioiodine is done in all tumor > T1N0 and completed with hormonotherapy.

Quality of life of patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy plus cetuximab first line for recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

BACKGROUND: A phase III trial demonstrated that cetuximab is the first agent in 30 years to improve survival when added to platinum-based chemotherapy (platinum-fluorouracil) first line for recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). This analysis of the trial assessed the impact of treatment on quality of life (QoL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and QLQ-Head and Neck 35 (QLQ-H&N35) module were used to assess QoL. RESULTS: Of 442 patients randomly assigned, 291 (QLQ-C30) and 289 (QLQ-H&N35) patients completed at least one evaluable questionnaire. For QLQ-C30, cycle 3 and month 6 mean scores for platinum-fluorouracil plus cetuximab were not significantly worse than those for platinum-fluorouracil. Pattern-mixture analysis demonstrated a significant improvement in the global health status/QoL score in the cetuximab arm (P = 0.0415) but no treatment differences in the social functioning scale. For QLQ-H&N35, the mean score for the cetuximab arm was not significantly worse than that for the chemotherapy arm for all symptom scales at all post-baseline visits. At cycle 3, some symptom scores significantly favored the cetuximab arm (pain, swallowing, speech problems, and social eating). CONCLUSION: Adding cetuximab to platinum-fluorouracil does not adversely affect the QoL of patients with recurrent and/or metastatic SCCHN.

Revascularized free scapular flaps in mandibular reconstruction. Report of 93 cases (April 1997 - October 2009).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present article is to demonstrate the relevance of revascularized free scapular flap in mandibular reconstruction in oncological cervicofacial salvage surgery. We will discuss the advantages and the disadvantages, indications and contraindications, together with possible complications and sequelae for this type of surgical flap. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 93 revascularized free scapular flaps used to reconstruct segmental substance defects in the mandible from April 1997 to October 2009 (in 91 patients). All patients benefited from 10 months to 12 years follow-up surgical and functional results. Functional assessment following anatomic site restoration focused on the quality of feeding and deglutition. RESULTS: The anatomical success rate was 94.63% (5 complete necroses out of 93 flaps). Results were considered to be good (normal or close to normal function for feeding and deglutition) in the majority of patients (83% at 6 months, 91% at 18 months). On the donor site: Functional sequelae were moderate when post-operative reeducation was correctly performed. CONCLUSION: Vascularized free scapular flap bone graft is very interesting for the reconstruction of mandibular discontinuity, composite (soft tissue and cutaneous resection) or exclusively osseous defects (not in excess of 13 cm), secondary to oncologic or osteoradionecrotic resections.