ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate functional results of oral and oropharyngeal reconstructions with radial forearm free flap. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present our experience with radial forearm free flap for reconstructing oral and oropharyngeal defect between 2000 and 2004. A total of 96 patients were included in this study. We analysed functional results (alimentation, elocution, mouth opening and cosmetic appearance) and researched the potentialy predictive factors of these results (age, comorbidity, preoperative irradiation...; Chi 2 test). RESULTS: The rate of free flap success was 97.9%. Good functional results (normal or quasi normal function) were obtained for alimentation, elocution, mouth opening and cosmetic appearance in respectively 92.6%, 64.9%, 81.9% and 84.1% of cases. Age (p = 0.05), preoperative irradiation (p = 0.005) and T stage (p = 0,02) had a negative effect on elocution, free flap failure on mouth opening (p = 0.03), preoperative irradiation (p = 0.05) and free flap failure (p = 0,02) on cosmetic appearance. CONCLUSION: Radial forearm free flap is considered as the flap of choice for oral and oropharyngeal reconstructions and allows excellent functional results.