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[Clinical application of expanded submental island flap in facial soft tissue defect]
Feng-yong Li1, Yang-qun Li, Wen Chen
1Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100144, China.
Objective:
To investigate the application of the expanded submental island flap in facial soft tissue defect.
Method:
12 patients with facial soft tissue defects were treated with the expanded submental island flaps during September 2004 to September 2008. At the first stage, soft tissue expander was implanted in the neck. At the second stage, the submental island flap was designed to repair the facial soft tissue defect. The largest size of the flap was about 16 cm x 9 cm.
Result:
All flaps survived well except for one case of partial epidermal necrosis at the distal part of the flap. The wound healed with dressing. 4 patients were followed up for 6-24 months with satisfactory results.
Conclusion:
The submental artery was a constant branch of facial artery. Large cervical flap with high quality tissue can be provided after expansion. The expanded submental island flap is a good choice for repairing the facial soft tissue defect.