RESUMO
PURPOSE: To investigate the role of repairing oral tissue defects with forehead island flap after oral cancer surgery in gerontal patients. METHODS: Reconstruction of oral tissue defects with forehead island flap was performed simultaneously after radical excision in 13 gerontal patients suffering from oral cancers. Eight forehead flaps were introduced into oral cavity under zygomatic arch, 5 were around the zygomatic arch into the oral cavity. The flaps were used to repair oral tissue defects, such as the cheek, tongue, retromolar region and floor of mouth. RESULTS: All the flaps survived well. The defect of forehead donor region was repaired with free skin graft. The color of skin graft was close to normal skin 1 year after operation, the forehead deformity was not obvious, but the skin mobility was poor. No tumor recurrence and metastasis occurred during 6 months to 2 years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of oral cavity with forehead island flap is suitable for gerontal patients with oral cancer.