Abstract: Objective: To investigate the application of lateral upper arm free flap in the repair of postoperative soft tissue defects after operation in the patients with tongue cancer, and to evaluate its survival rate and repair effect. Methods: Ten patients with tongue cancer, having a desire to repair soft tissue defect after tongue cancer operation, and their systemic state could tolerate the long time operation, were selected to repair tongue cancer postoperative defects with lateral upper arm flaps. Among them, 7 cases were male, 3 cases were female; aged 45-67 years old, average 52.1 years old.Radical resection of tongue cancer was primarily finished, then the flaps were designed and prepared to repair the defects of tongue according to the location and size of defects.After the operation, the survival rate of the flap was observed, and the effect of repair was evaluated according to the shape, size, volume and movement of the tongue. Results: The lateral upper arm flaps were stable and simple to prepare, the donor sites were concealed, and the upper limbs were not abnormal.All of flaps survived, and all of wounds healed primarily.The shape, size, and texture of tongues were satisfied, and the movements of tongue were not significantly restricted.After repair, the voice, mastication and swallowing function of the patients were good without obvious influence. Conclusion: The survival rate of lateral flap of upper arm is high, and the tongue shape and function were good after tongue defect repair.It is an ideal free flap for repairing the tongue tissue defect of tongue cancer after operation.

Key words: soft tissue defect, lateral upper arm flap, tongue neoplasms, defect repair