title: [Application of reversed pedicled submental island flap].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Fuzhou General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Fuzhou 350025, China. fzchxming@sina.com
authors.forename: Xian-Ming
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chun-Li
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ze-Nian
authors.initials: ZN
authors.lastname: Zhen
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Jian-Zhong
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Fu-Wen
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Mao-Xin
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: 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