OBJECTIVETo study the sternocleidomastoid-clavicle myocutaneous flap (SCMCP) for repairing the compound operative defect after oral carcinoma resection, to observe its clinical effect, prognosis and advantages of SCMCP, and to develop a new operative method that implantation of dental implant can be performed simultaneously.

METHODSSixteen patients underwent reconstruction with SCMCP after oral carcinoma resection and neck dissection during 2007 to 2009. Four of them (25.00%) underwent simultaneously implantation of dental implants in the clavicular flaps.

RESULTSNone of these patients died postoperatively during the follow-up until now. One patient (6.25%) with buccal cancer encountered local recurrence resulting in reoperation, and the flap grows well up to now. A part of the skin paddle underwent necrosis in two patients (12.50%), local fluidity was found in 2 patients (12.50%), fracture of clavicle occurred during the operation in one patient (6.25%). All the patients had good pronunciation and oral diet with no difficulty.

CONCLUSIONSCMCP is easy to survive, simple to perform, the clavicular figure and function won't be destroyed significantly. SCMCP is a good operative method to repair the compound operative defect after oral carcinoma resection.