Results
There were only two cases of partial skin necrosis (1.8%) and no cases of complete flap loss. The average dimension of the flaps in or series is 8 x 3.5 cm. The average length of hospital stay is 7.6 ± 1.2 days. Postoperatively, the majority of our patients can communicate on the phone (understandability of speech score 3 – 4), with only two cases of oral tongue cancer receiving a score of 2. All of patients have the capacity for oral diet (swallowing function score 6 – 7). One case oral tongue T4 carcinoma had a score 5 (table 1).
We detected and preserved the minor vein below the superior thyroid in 87 cases (78%). The communicating vein to external jugular vein was recorded in 28 cases (25%). We were able to preserve both veins in 12 cases. In 9 of our cases (8%) had neither of these veins capable of preservation.