title: Use of the submental island flap in orofacial reconstruction--a review of 20 cases.
abstract: The submental flap, though not a widely used flap, is extremely useful in orofacial reconstruction. We present our experience with this flap particularly in the post oncological setting and describe its technique, complications and precautions adopted in its use. Between January 2001 and January 2007 we performed 20 submental flaps for primary reconstruction of post tumour excision defects in the intraoral and facial region. The procedure was successful in all cases without any complete flap loss. The complications encountered were partial flap loss in one case, haematoma in two cases and venous congestion in one case which was salvaged. Marginal mandibular nerve function was preserved in all cases.
authors.affiliation: Plastic, Reconstructive and Microvascular Services, Tata Memorial Hospital, Dr. Ernest Borges Marg, Parel, Mumbai 400 012, India.
authors.forename: Shilpa B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Uppin
authors.forename: Quazi Ghazwan
authors.initials: QG
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Prabha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.forename: Kanti
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shetty
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000601:surgery; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome