RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy of the approach of parasymphyseal mandible osteotomy combined with set-back tongue flap in treatment of tongue base carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In total 18 patients with cancer of tongue base, 13 were males and 5 females aged of 30 to 65 y (average 52.9 y). Eighteen patients were treated by parasymphyseal mandible osteotomy combined with set-back tongue flap in our hospital from June 2001 to June 2006.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The range of follow-up period was 2 to 5 years. All patients had satisfactory speech, swallowing and taste function.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Parasymphyseal mandible osteotomy provides good exposure, and set-back tongue flap to reconstruction of the base of tongue can partially restore the function of tongue.</p>