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Abstract

An extensive oromandibular defect after oral cavity cancer resection is one of the most challenging aspects of head and neck reconstruction. The current advances in microsurgical free flaps have enabled the use of double free flaps for covering extensive defects. The concept is that each defect can be matched with each selected flap; thus, some surgeons use dual free flaps as their preferred method. 1,2 In spite of the relatively successful outcomes, we think that this concept aims at anatomical restoration. Given the fact that the tongue is one of the most dynamic structures in our body, simple coverage of the tongue and mandible defects cannot guarantee the patient's postoperative quality of life. We realize that we have been missing an important part of functional impairment when treating intraoperative defects. The defect Keywords ► oromandibular defect ► fibular free flap ► chimeric flap ► functional head and neck reconstruction ► dynamic reconstruction