[Submental artery island flaps for reconstruction in the head and neck region].

[Submental artery island flaps for reconstruction in the head and neck region].

HNO. 2015 Oct 27;

Authors: Bruchhage KL, Wollenberg B, Schröder U

Abstract
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.
MATERIALS AND 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.
CASE DESCRIPTION: 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.
CONCLUSION: 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.

PMID: 26507713 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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