title: Reverse facial-submental artery island flap for the reconstruction of maxillary defects after cancer ablation.
abstract: This study assessed the reliability of the reverse facial-submental artery island flap for reconstructing maxillary defects. Twelve patients with cancer underwent surgical resection and sequential maxillary reconstruction using a reverse facial-submental artery island flap. There were 9 men and 3 women. The patients ranged in age from 42 to 73 years. Palate squamous cell carcinoma was present in 7 cases; and maxillary gingival squamous cell carcinoma, in 5 cases. The remaining defects were classified as class 1 in one case, class 2a in 8 cases, and class 3b in 3 cases. The sizes of the skin paddle varied from a minimum of 4 x 12 cm to a maximum of 5 x 12 cm. No flaps failed. There were no donor-site problems. The patients were followed up for 16 to 30 months; one case of tumor local recurrence was observed. The reverse facial-submental artery island flap is safe, quick, and simple to elevate. The flap can be used reliably for reconstructing maxillary defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China.
authors.forename: Yun-Hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Wei-Liang
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yue-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Da-Ming
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D005145:Face / Q000098:blood supply; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000098:blood supply; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010157:Palatal Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome