title: Reconstruction of intraoral defects with superior labial artery musculo-mucosal flap: a preliminary clinical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this article, we present the use of the superior labial artery musculo-mucosal (SLAMM) flap for intraoral reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included five patients (2 females, 3 males; mean age 36 years; range 11 to 56 years) who consulted at our clinic between October 2008 and January 2010. Five oral defects were reconstructed with the SLAMM flap. Three patients underwent reconstruction with SLAMM flap following oncologic resection. The other two patients had traumatic defects in the oral cavity which necessitated flap application. First, the distal end of the flap was incised and the superior labial artery was identified after dissection. After ligation of the artery, the mucosa, submucosa and the cuff of orbicularis oris muscle were elevated. The dissection was extended laterally and anteriorly, depending on the necessary flap size.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the patients had partial or total flap necrosis. During the follow-up period, contracture developed in only one patient. Successful reconstruction was observed in all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The superior labial artery musculo-mucosal flap is a simple and feasible technique which can be used for reconstruction of intraoral defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medicine Faculty of Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. guvenmd@istanbul.edu.tr
authors.forename: Erdem
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Güven
authors.forename: Alper Mete
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Uğurlu
authors.forename: Karaca
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Başaran
authors.forename: Salih Onur
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Basat
authors.forename: Bariş
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yiğit
authors.forename: Günter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hafiz
authors.forename: Samet Vasfi
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Kuvat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D002342:Carotid Artery, External / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009056:Mouth Abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps