[Application of reversed pedicled submental island flap].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the clinical applications of reversed pedicled submental island flap in the face and oropharynx.


METHODS
The clinical data of ten cases of reconstruction of defect in the area of face or oropharynx following resection of tumors with reversed pedicled submental island flaps between January of 2004 to December of 2006 were retrospectively studied. The cases included six males and four females, aged from 24 to 76 (median 55 years). One of the cases suffered from upper lid melanoma, two hard palate myoepithelioma, one maxillary ameloblastoma, four tonsil cancer and two lingual carcinoma. The submental island flaps were dissected according to the area of the defection, the distal facial vessel was used as the pedicle of the flaps, and the flaps were transferred through under the skin of the face or the mandible to the area of the defection. Radical neck dissection was performed in the four tonsil cancers and two lingual carcinomas simultaneously.


RESULTS
All the flaps showed pale, edema and/or congestion after the surgical treatment, but swelling and congestion disappeared gradually 5 days later. One of the cases suffered from severe congestion of the flap, but the flap survived by stabbing with needle and draining. The flap of another case separated from the hard palate was sutured again, and healed. Lower lip palsy occurred in another case, and recovered 3 months later by conservative therapy. None of the flaps necrosed.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of the upper pedicle, reversed pedicled submental island flap can be transferred to a long distance to reconstruct the defect in the upper face or around the orbit, and radical neck dissection can be performed simultaneously, it is a reasonable candidate in repairing the defect of the face and oropharynx.
Chen
Xian-Ming
XM
Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Fuzhou General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Fuzhou 350025, China. fzchxming@sina.com
Mao
Chun-Li
CL
Chen
Hui
H
Zhen
Ze-Nian
ZN
Zhao
Min
M
Li
Jian-Zhong
JZ
Yang
Fu-Wen
FW
Wang
Mao-Xin
MX
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002680:Chin / Q000601:surgery*; D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps