Recontouring commissuroplasty after reconstruction of large defects after resections for head and neck cancer with commissure involvement using an anterolateral thigh flap.
The aim of this study was to describe our technique for recontouring commissuroplasty after reconstruction of large, through-and-through perioral defects in patients with head and neck cancer with emphasis on functional and cosmetic outcome. This technique was used in 15 patients aged between 33 and 66 years. Recontouring required liposuction, arrow-headed advancement flap, and anchoring vector sutures. All patients had satisfactory functional and cosmetic results and healed without complication. Function was evaluated to find out whether the patient was free of drooling and able to accommodate more food postoperatively. Aesthetic evaluation was subjective, and the patients themselves decided using a visual analogue cosmesis scale. Our combined procedures provide a predictable way of creating a new oral commissure, improving postoperative drooling, and increasing the intraoral space after reconstruction.
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan. kapich@kmu.edu.tw
Kao-Ping
KP
Chang
Chung-Sheng
CS
Lai
Sin-Daw
SD
Lin
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015187:Lipectomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012798:Sialorrhea / Q000517:prevention & control; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques