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-andthrough 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×7 cm, of the mucosa side 4.5 cm×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 extera 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×3 cm, of the forehead skin flap10 cm×6 cm. Results Two flaps and the split survived after operation. One-stage healing was achieved. The patient was discharged from hospital 2 weeks afteroperation.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 skinflap 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.
