[The submental island skin flap. A surgical protocol. Prospects of use]

The authors report their use of a previously undescribed skin flap situated in the submental region and vascularised by the submental artery derived from the facial artery. It is possible to raise flaps as large as 11 cm X 6 cm with an identical colour to that of the face. The pedicle flap can reach any part of the homolateral oral cavity or the lower 2/3 of the homolateral side of the face (with the exception of the nasal region). The free flap, using a good calibre pedicle (including facial arteries and veins, may be as long as 7 cm and appears to be extremely reliable. It is also possible to use a distal or composite pedicle taking a segment of the internal basilar margin. The donor site scar dissimulated under the mandible is perfectly acceptable.