Introduction
In 1980, Wang and Shen first reported the infrahyoid musculocutaneous
flap (IHMCF). This flap has proven to be useful in the reconstruction of
moderate-sized (T2-T3) intraoral defects. The main blood supply of the
IHMCF is from the superior thyroid artery, the first branch of the
external carotid artery.
Within the surgical literature, the complication rate is very variable,
ranging from 3% to 47%1. The insufficient venous
drainage is the major factor related to the survival of the skin
paddle2. We report on our variation in the surgical
technique of raising the flap with the intent to improve the
postoperative survival rate.