Submental flap in small but reconstructive mandated oral cavity lesions

Abstract

 In this era of microvascular reconstruction, where the practise of microvascular surgery is widely practised by many surgeons, reconstruction with free flap has become mandatory in most of the head and neck oncological procedures. However, due to its difficult learning curve and time-consuming nature, free flaps are not routine surgery for many surgeons.  The success of free tissue transfer surgery is not solely determined by the surgeon’s skills alone. Age and operative time can cause medical complications, if not surgical complications, and hence can lead to free flap failure. 

 There are some lesions where local and regional flaps still hold their value as a good substitute for free flaps. The submental flap is one such flap. Though the utility and safety of the submental flap in oncological surgery has been questioned by many, with proper case selection and proper technique, the submental flap is still good and safe in oral cavity reconstruction.

The purpose of this paper is to present a series of 13 patients who had undergone reconstruction with submental flaps after resection of their primary tumours in the oral cavity.