Two submental island flaps for reconstructing oral and maxillofacial defects following cancer ablation.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of 2 patterns of submental island flaps--the facial-submental artery island flap and the reverse facial-submental artery island flap--used for reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects following cancer ablation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight soft tissue defects were repaired with facial-submental artery island flaps and reverse facial-submental artery island flaps following cancer surgery. The ages of the patients ranged from 28 to 90 years; 24 were male and 14 were female. The primary lesions included squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue (8 cases), buccal mucosa (16), floor of the mouth (4), lower gingiva (3), oropharynx (2); recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the palate (3); and basal cell carcinoma of the facial skin (2). The clinical stage of the tumors was stage I in 5 cases, stage II in 25, and stage III in 8. Facial-submental artery island flaps were used in 20 cases, reverse facial-submental artery island flaps in 18. The size of the skin paddle varied from a minimum of 4 cm x 8 cm to a maximum of 5 cm x 15 cm. Direct closure was achieved at all donor sites.

RESULTS: The postoperative outcome for 2 patterns of submental flaps was 36 cases surviving, 2 of complete necrosis, and one other of temporary palsy of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve. The success rate was 95% and 94.4% for the facial-submental artery island flap and the reverse facial-submental artery island flap, respectively. The form and function of recipient sites were well recovered. The donor site leaves a well-hidden scar. The follow-up period was 3 to 24 months, 1 patient died of tumor local recurrences and 2 cases of cervical recurrence were observed.

CONCLUSION: Two patterns of submental island flaps are safe, rapid, and simple to elevate. The facial-submental artery island flap can reliably be used for reconstruction of the lower and middle thirds of the medium-sized oral and maxillofacial defects and the reverse pattern for reconstruction of the middle and upper thirds of the medium-sized oral and maxillofacial defects.