[Submental artery island flaps for reconstruction in the head and neck region].
BACKGROUND
Reconstruction of defects after extirpation of head and neck neoplasms is a highly challenging and complex surgical undertaking. Commonly used techniques, such as the radial forearm flap or anterior lateral thigh flap, have numerous disadvantages, e.g., donor-site morbidity, poor color match for cutaneous reconstruction, and excessive tissue bulk for intraoral reconstruction. Use of a submental artery island flap is a relatively new and increasingly performed option for reconstruction in the head and neck region.


METHODS
From March 2013 to August 2015, 12 patients were treated with a submental island flap after surgical resection of intraoral carcinomas or cutaneous neoplasms of the lower half of the face.


METHODS
This paper reports on two cases. The first case describes reconstruction of the floor of the mouth using a pull-through technique after resection of a squamous cell carcinoma. The submental flap was pedicled on the contralateral side, since neck dissection of regions I-V had been performed on the ipsilateral side. The second case is a reconstruction of the lower midface with parts of the upper lip, after removal of a cutaneous spinalioma. In a N0 neck, no neck dissection was performed. The flap healed without problems in both patients, leading to a very good functional and cosmetic outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
The submental island flap demonstrates reliability and versatility for head and neck reconstructions. Its minimal donor site morbidity, excellent cosmetic match, pliability, and relative ease of dissection and application confer a definite advantage over distant flaps.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig Holstein, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Deutschland. Karl-Ludwig.Bruchhage@uksh.de.
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KL
Bruchhage
Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig Holstein, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Deutschland.
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B
Wollenberg
Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig Holstein, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Deutschland.
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U
Schröder
D000368:Aged; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000637:transplantation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Chin; Head and neck; Neoplasms; Reconstruction; Surgical flaps