ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of the extended nasolabial flap in repairing small or medium anterior buccal mucosal defects. MethodsBetween March 2013 and April 2014, 10 patients with anterior buccal mucosal defects were treated with extended nasolabial flaps. There were 8 males and 2 females with the average age of 47.2 years (range, 39-62 years). The left side was involved in 4 cases and the right side in 6 cases. The pathological types included 3 cases of oral leukoplakia (OLK), 3 cases of OLK with malignant changes, 1 case of malignant oral lichen planus, and 3 cases of papilloma. The clinical course ranged from 2 to 15 months (mean, 7.1 months). The resection was restricted to the mucosa and little buccinators without cheek penetration, and the defects ranged from 2.5 to 4.0 cm in width and 3.5 to 5.5 cm in length. The distance between defect and the corner of the mouth was 0.5 to 1.5 cm. A falcate flap was designed along the nasolabial fold with a pedicle lateral beside the corner of the mouth. The flap was lifted in the plane of the superficial muscular aponeurotic system from both terminal points to the region of the central pedicle. Then the flap was transposed intraorally through a transbuccal tunnel to cover the mucosal defect while the extra-oral incision was closed directly. ResultsAll flaps completely survived and all wounds healed primarily. All patients were followed up 6 to 18 months (mean, 10.4 months). All patients regained symmetrical appearances and normal mouth commissure only with linear scars hidden in the nasolabial folds. The mouth opening was 2.7 to 3.5 cm (mean, 3.1 cm) at last follow-up. The intraoral flaps healed perfectly with thin and flat outlooks. No cheek biting or fish-mouth deformity was observed. ConclusionThe extended nasolabial flap can be used to repair small or medium anterior buccal mucosal defects because it has the advantages of reliable blood supply, flexibility in design, simplicity in harvesting, and hidden donor site scars.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of the bipaddled split pectoralis major myocutaneous flap for immediate reconstruction of oral mucosal defects and neck defects after resection of recurrent oral cancer. MethodsSix patients with oral mucosal defects combined with neck defects after recurrent oral cancer resection were treated with bipaddled split pectoralis major myocutaneous flap between September 2013 and September 2014. There were 5 males and 1 female with an average age of 54.7 years (range, 45-62 years), including 4 cases of recurrent tongue cancer, 1 case of recurrent mandibular gingival cancer, and 1 case of mouth floor carcinoma. All patients underwent local recurrence at 8 to 14 months after first operation, with no distant metastasis. The defects of the intraoral mucosa was 4.0 cm×2.5 cm to 6.5 cm×3.5 cm and the defect of the neck skin was 5.5 cm×3.5 cm to 7.5 cm×5.0 cm. The pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps (14.0 cm×3.5 cm to 17.0 cm×5.5 cm) were incised at the level of the 3rd to the 4th rib, and then split down along the muscle fiber till about 2 cm away from the thoracoacromial vessels, forming 2 independent skin paddles with 1-2 branch vessels to the pedicles of the distal ones. The distal skin paddles were used for oral reconstruction while the proximal paddles for repair of neck defects. The chest donor sites were sutured directly. ResultsCervical haematoma and infection happened in 1 patient respectively after operation, and were cured after symptomatic treatment. All 6 split pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps with 12 skin paddles completely survived. All patients were followed up 6 to 18 months (mean, 11 months). One patient died of pulmonary metastasis at 8 months after operation and the other 5 survived without relapse or metastasis during follow-up. The intraoral paddles showed good shape with satisfactory speech function and swallowing recovery. The paddles also healed perfectly on the neck with flat outlooks, and all patients obtained full appearance and free movement of the neck. No fistula formed on the submandibular region and neck. ConclusionThe bipaddled split pectoralis major myocutaneous flap can complete simultaneous immediate reconstruction of oral mucosal defect and neck defect. It is very useful in the treatment of recurrent oral cancer.