Abstract: PURPOSE:To discuss the clinical effects of submental island flap on repairing oropharynx defects after cancer ablation, and provide experience for clinical application. METHODS:Thirteen oropharyngeal cancer patients were included, and they were repaired with submental island flaps in oropharynx regions after cancer ablation and radical neck dissection. Among them, 12 patients were squamous cell carcinoma, and 1 patient was carcinoma. RESULTS: Of the 13 flaps used, 12 submental island flaps survived, only 1 flap had partial necrosis at the distal margin, which healed after triming and dressing. The follow-up time was 3 months to 3 years, and tumor recurrence or metastasis was not noted. All patients got good eating and speech functions. CONCLUSIONS:Submental island flap is safe and effective for repairing small or middle sized oropharynx defects after cancer ablation, which is located in the area of radical neck dissection, and has the advantages of simple operation,hidden incision and fewer lymph node metastasis in level I. Submental island flap has excellent clinical usefulness.

Key words: Submental island flap, Oropharynx, Repair of defect