RECONSTRUCTION WITH "SPLIT-THICKNESS SKIN GRAFT" IN HEAD AND NECK SURGERY

The aim of the study is to present our cases reconstructed with split thickness skin graft and to stress the advantages of this method. Ten cases, operated for head and neck malignancy and reconstructed with split thickness skin graft, were evaluated. Moderate thickness skin graft (0.4 mm) were used for reconstruction of mucosa in 8 cases and skin in 2 cases. Tumor was located in oral cavity and/or oropharynx in 6 cases, in paranasal sinuses in 2 cases and at auricle and/or external auditory canal in 2 cases. Split thickness skin graft completely survived in 8 cases, and partial necrosis was seen in 2 cases. The mean length of hospital stay arid the time oral feeding was begun were 14.6 and 5.6 days respectively. Speech was normal in 3 cases and intelligible in 3. Complications occured in 4 patients. 2 cases of contracture of the graft, one case of stenosis of Stenon duct and one case of aspiration of liquid diet. As the result; split thickness skin graft should be taken into cohsideration as a good alternative of reconstruction for mucosal defects in maxillectomy cavities and mucosal defects of oral cavity and/or oropharynx without the massive soft tissue loss and skin defects around the auricle and/or external auditory canal.