BACKGROUND The buccal flaps are an effective alternative in treatment patients with small defects of the oral cavity due to: the small size of the flap, the lack of donor site, less risk of postoperative complications and short procedure time. METHODS In the Department of Otolaryngology and Laryngological Oncology in Poznan in the years 2005-2008 was performed 7 resections of oral cavity due to cancer in which the reconstructions were based on two types of flaps: from the buccal mucosa (3 patients), and muscular-buccal mucosal flap (4 cases). The paper presents aspects of the anatomical structure of the cheek and technique for flap dissection. CONCLUSIONS In the majority group of patients the primary defect healing properly. The mucosal buccal flaps are a good alternative to free flaps, but their indications are limited to the primary defects of small extent.