Reverse facial artery-submental artery mandibular osteomuscular flap for the reconstruction of maxillary defects following the removal of benign tumors.
BACKGROUND
Functional and aesthetic restoration in maxillary reconstruction remains a challenge. Although many free flap procedures have become popular in maxillary reconstruction, these microsurgical methods have certain limitations and risks. This study assessed the reliability of the reverse facial artery-submental artery mandibular osteomuscular flap for reconstructing maxillary defects.


METHODS
Eight maxillary defects following benign tumor ablation were repaired with reverse facial artery-submental artery mandibular osteomuscular flaps. The patients ranged in age from 16 to 33 years; 5 were male and 3 were female. Maxillary odontogenic myxoma was present in 3 cases, maxillary fibrous dysplasia and ameloblastoma in 2 cases each, and chondromyxoid fibroma in 1 case. The defects were classified as class 2a.


RESULTS
Primary reconstruction of the maxilla was carried out using a pedicled mandibular osteomuscular flap. No flap failures occurred. Dental reconstruction was successful in all patients. Proper aesthetics and complete functionality were obtained, and there were no donor-site problems. The patients were followed for 12 to 24 months, with an average of 18.6 months, and no recurrence was encountered.


CONCLUSIONS
The reverse facial artery-submental artery mandibular osteomuscular flap is safe, quick, and simple to elevate. The flap can be used reliably for reconstructing maxillary defects.
Chen
Wei-Liang
WL
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China. drchen@vip.163.com
Ye
Jian-Tao
JT
Yang
Zhao-Hui
ZH
Huang
Zhi-Quan
ZQ
Zhang
Da-Ming
DM
Wang
Ke
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D004954:Esthetics; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000637:transplantation; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009232:Myxoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult