INTRA-ORAL CANCER. THE USE OF SKIN GRAFTS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CONDITION.

Seventy-two patients with 78 intra-oral cancers were treated by surgical excision and repair was carried out with free split-thickness skin grafts. Examination of removed specimens confirmed the precancerous character of the surrounding mucous membranes and emphasized the importance of removing them completely if that is practical. With the free skin graft this wider excision is possible with less impairment of function. It may also prevent the questionable "local recurrence" or second primary adjacent to the scar, and even multiple primaries in the same region of the oral cavity.