title: The Bozola flap in oral cavity reconstruction.
abstract: The buccinator musculomucosal flaps are actually considered the main reconstructive option for small-moderate defects of the oral mucosa. In this paper we present our experience with the posteriorly based buccinator musculomucosal flap. A retrospective review was performed of all patients who had had a Bozola flap reconstruction at the Operative Unit of Maxillo-Facial Surgery of Parma, Italy, between 2003 and 2010. The Bozola flap was used in 19 patients. In most cases they had defects of the palate (n=12). All flaps were harvested successfully and no major complications occurred. Minor complications were observed in two cases. At the end of the follow up all patients returned to a normal diet without alterations of speech and swallowing. We consider the Bozola flap the first choice for the reconstruction of defects involving the palate, the cheek and the postero-lateral tongue and floor of the mouth.
authors.affiliation: Operative Unit of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Head and Neck Department, University Hospital of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, Parma (Pr), Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Copelli
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sesenna
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000601:surgery*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D010159:Palate / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome