We investigated the degree of recovery of sensory functions by pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps (muscle flap group) and forearm flaps (skin flap group). Twenty-six patients who underwent ablative surgery were studied. A pectoris major muscle flap was used in 8 patients, and a forearm flap was used in 18 patients. SW sensory, two-point discrimination (2 PD), thermal pain, and microcirculatory blood flow were measured. The SW value was maintained at a high level in the muscle flap group, but decreased gradually after 60 months in the skin flap group. The time course of 2 PD indicated a faster recovery in the skin flap group. Thermal pain values did not differ significantly between the two groups.
Blood flow in the oral cavity mucosa was higher than that in the skin. In most patients, blood flow in the skin flap was similar to that in the skin. There were no marked timerelated changes in blood flow in either group, but blood flow in the forearm flap was clearly lower.