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The melanocytes of the vestibular labyrinth as seen in colored guinea pigs show a characteristic pattern of distribution in the wall of the utricle and in the ampullae, but they are not present in the wall of the saccule. They are found mainly in well-vascularized regions of apparent secretory or metabolic importance, including the “dark cell” areas. Their dendrite-like processes are often in intimate contact with the capillaries, although no pinocytotic vesicles or other indications of transfer of substances between the melanocytes and the capillary endothelium are seen under the electron microscope. In the human ear, the apparent density of the melanocytes varies with skin color. They are numerous in the cochlea, especially in the bony wall of the modiolus and on the osseous spiral lamina, and they occur also in Reissner's membrane and in the stria vascularis. In the vestibular system they are found in the wall of the saccule as well as in the utricle, the crus commune, and the ampullae, but not in the semicircular canals. They tend to be diffusely scattered, rather than to form the well-defined, intensely pigmented areas that are characteristic of the guinea pig. Close contacts with capillaries are seen mainly in the tympanic portion of the spiral ligament. The significance of melanin and the melanocytes in the labyrinth is unknown, but both the anatomical relation of certain melanocytes to capillaries, and the biochemical relation of melanin to the catecholamines support the hypothesis that they may have a vasomotor function. Other evidence, including the not infrequent association of sensorineural deafness with hereditary disorders of pigmentation also suggests that the melanocytes may play a role of some biological consequence in the inner ear.

• Composite resection, the standard surgical approach for treating cancer of the oral cavity and oropharynx, results in considerable functional and cosmetic deformity, whether primary closure or flap reconstruction is employed. To minimize these problems, an alternate surgical approach has been developed. Essentials of the procedure include use of a non-lip-splitting visor flap for exposure and excision of the lesion, reconstruction with a skin or dermis graft formed into a pouch to fill dead space created by resection, and routine use of intermaxillary fixation for immobilization of the reconstructed area. In 16 patients undergoing this procedure, the approach had no adverse effect on short-term survival. Complication rate with skin and dermis graft reconstruction was acceptably low. Cosmetic improvement has been gratifying. Skin or dermis graft reconstruction has resulted in very satisfactory functional results in terms of tongue mobility, articulation, mastication, and swallowing.(Arch Otolaryngol 106:103-110, 1980)