The submental island flap: a new donor site. Anatomy and clinical applications as a free or pedicled flap.

Abstract

This paper describes the use of a new island flap based on the submental artery. Previously described cervical flaps have inherent problems ranging from limited mobility to unacceptable donor-site scars, to unpredictable outcomes. The flap design and technique were studied on 20 fresh cadavers and 8 patients who underwent radical neck dissections. The flap was then used successfully for reconstruction of orofacial defects in 8 patients. The flap has a long (up to 8 cm), reliable pedicle, and cutaneous dimensions can reach up to 7 x 18 cm. It can be used as a cutaneous, musculofascial (cervicofascial and platysma), or osteocutaneous flap. This flap has an excellent skin color match and a wide arc of rotation, and can extend to the whole homolateral face, except for a part of the forehead and the whole oral cavity. The anatomy, the technique, and clinical experiences are presented.