Objective: To study the methods and results of a combination of forehead skin flap and sternocleidomastoid island myocutaneous flap in the reconstruction of large through-and-through defect of check. Methods One case of check cancer received ampliative resection and functional neck dissection. The defect area of the skin side was 9 cm x 7 cm, of the mucosa side 4.5 cm x 3.0 cm. The defect of the mucosa side was repaired with sternocleidomastoid island myocutaneous flap which blood supply was from thyroidea superior artery, occipitalis artery and carotis extra vein; of the skin side with forehead skin flap which blood supply was from temporalis superficialis artery and vein. The size of the sternocleidomastoid island myocutaneous flap was 5 cm x 3 cm, of the forehead skin flap 10 cm x 6 cm.
Results: Two flaps and the split survived after operation. One-stage healing was achieved. The patient was discharged from hospital 2 weeks after operation. The color and the quality were good. The tumor did not recur during follow-up of one year. The patient could take care of herself, and she lived normally in talk and diet.
Conclusion: A combination of forehead skin flap and sternocleidomastoid island myocutaneous flap is a useful method to repair large through-and-through defect of cheek after cancer dissection. It is easy-to-operate and economical.