The submental island flap in head and neck reconstruction

The authors describe their experience with the submental island flap for the primary correction of head and neck deformities following oncologic surgery, over the past 5 years. The use of this flap is reported in 12 patients, with a mean age of 67 years, requiring facial or intraoral reconstruction. A brief review of the key points and some refinements in the operative technique are discussed. The reconstruction of defects with a submental island flap was successful in every patient. Complications encountered were one case of temporary palsy of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve and one case of orocutaneous fistula. All the donor site defects were closed primarily. The submental island flap is an excellent choice for the reconstruction of head and neck defects because of its reliability, versatility, colour and texture match, and relative ease of application.