title: The submental island flap in head and neck reconstruction.
abstract: The authors describe their experience with the submental island flap for the primary correction of head and neck deformities following oncologic surgery, over the past 5 years. The use of this flap is reported in 12 patients, with a mean age of 67 years, requiring facial or intraoral reconstruction. A brief review of the key points and some refinements in the operative technique are discussed. The reconstruction of defects with a submental island flap was successful in every patient. Complications encountered were one case of temporary palsy of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve and one case of orocutaneous fistula. All the donor site defects were closed primarily. The submental island flap is an excellent choice for the reconstruction of head and neck defects because of its reliability, versatility, colour and texture match, and relative ease of application.
authors.affiliation: Maxillo Facial Surgery of Parma, Head and Neck Department, University and Hospital of Parma, Via Gramsci 14 43100 Parma, Italy. alessandramultinu@hotmail.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Multinu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balestreri
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scozzafava
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sesenna
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000601:surgery*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016155:Oral Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D010157:Palatal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013997:Time Factors