title: The feasibility of facial-submental artery island myocutaneous flaps for reconstructing defects of the oral floor following cancer ablation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of clinically applying facial-submental artery island flaps on primary reconstruction of oral floor defects following cancer ablation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Facial-submental artery island flaps were used to repair defects in the floor of the mouth after cancer ablation in 7 patients (5 men and 2 women; age range, 43-64 years; average age, 51.2 years). Two patients were classified as T(1)N(0)M(0), and 5 were classified as T(2)N(0)M(0). The skin paddles ranged in size from 4.0 x 10.0 cm to 5.0 x 11.0 cm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six flaps survived completely, and the success rate was therefore 86% (6 of 7). The remaining flap showed minimal partial necrosis. All of the patients were followed for 6 to 25 months. The speech and swallowing functions following surgery were well recovered, and the patients were satisfied with their facial appearance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Facial-submental artery island myocutaneous flaps are suitable for repairing small and medium-sized defects of the oral floor.
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
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D002342:Carotid Artery, External; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000379:methods; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D016896:Treatment Outcome