J Korean Soc Plast Reconstr Surg.  1998 Jun;25(4):656-665.

Facial reconstruction with submental island flap

• Kim JT
• Kim SK

Abstract

The basic criteria of facial reconstruction with the flap are consisted of easy and wide applicability, good color and texture matching to the face and reliable anatomical basis. On these points, the submental island flap is superior to other regional flaps such as tissue expansion technique and free flaps It is based on the submental vessels branching from the facial vessels located at the medial groove of submandibular gland. Its pedicle has a reliable course along the inferior border of mandible with a constant distance and its perforator(s) is (are) located at the submental area around the anterior belly of digastric muscle. We report on its use in 4 cases of facial resurfacing on the cheek, the preauricular area and the nose in arteriovenous malformation and malignant skin cancer patients. The mylohyoid and anterior belly of digastric muscles could be included within the flap and the reverse submental island flap was also useful for obtaining the wide rotation of arc. The mean follow-up period was 8.3 months and the results were satisfactory to the patients. The submental island flap is reliable flap for facial resurfacing because of its good color and texture, acceptable donor scars, and thin, flexible flap. The flap also can incorperate with the skin, the muscle, and the bone in case of complicated facial defects. The long vascular pedicle also enables a wide applicability of the flap And also it can be used as a free flap, expanded flap and reverse island flap for the facial resurfacing.

MeSH Terms

Arteriovenous Malformations
Cheek
Cicatrix
Follow-Up Studies
Free Tissue Flaps
Humans
Mandible
Muscles
Nose
Skin
Skin Neoplasms
Submandibular Gland
Tissue Donors
Tissue Expansion