The feasibility of facial-submental artery island myocutaneous flaps for reconstructing defects of the oral floor following cancer ablation.
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.
You
Yun-hua
YH
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China.
Chen
Wei-liang
WL
Wang
Yue-ping
YP
Liang
Jun
J
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