Usage of nasolabial skin flaps for the reconstruction of various intraoral defects

Kim, Kyoung Won; Lee, Eun Young

Abstract

The nasolabial flap has been used for reconstruction of moderate size intraoral defects. The nasolabial fold area provides an ample supply of tissue with a good color and texture match. The nasolabial flap classified advancement flap, inferiorly-based flap, superiorly-based flap. The flap is based inferiorly, so that it can easily be rotated to the intraoral defects. The nasolabial flap is chosen for the repair of various intraoral defects because of its simple elevation, proximity to the defect and its rich subcutaneous blood supply of a island flap. The subjects were 6 patients with nasolabial flap, who had reconstruction of moderate size intraoral defects. We have found the inferiorly-based nasolabial flap with a subcutaneous pedicle useful in the primary repair of surgical defects of the buccal mucosa, edentulous mandibular ridge, maxillary alveolus area and soft palate in these patients. There was no complication except one case. Intraoral hair growth was a minor problem of this patient. We thought that the inferiorly-based nasolabial flap is a useful technique for reconstruction of various intraoral defects.