Multiple-parameter evaluation demonstrates low donor-site morbidity after submental flap harvesting

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Head and Neck Surgery
• Oncologic Reconstruction

Background:

• Submental flap is a common technique for head and neck reconstruction.
• Assessing donor-site morbidity is crucial for patient outcomes.
• Limited standardized tools exist for evaluating submental flap donor-site morbidity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and validate a scoring system for analyzing donor-site morbidity after submental flap harvesting.
• To quantify patient and clinician-reported outcomes related to donor-site morbidity.
• To provide a reliable method for evaluating the submental flap donor site in head and neck oncologic reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series of 22 patients undergoing submental flap reconstruction (2008-2012).
• A novel scoring system evaluated five parameters: whistling, smiling, neck extension, beard change, and esthetic outcome.
• A blinded panel of 2 clinicians and patients assessed the parameters on a 0-9 scale.

Main Results:

• All five evaluated parameters showed high mean scores (above 8/9), indicating low donor-site morbidity.
• Whistling (8.7), smiling (8.7), and beard change (8.9) had the highest scores.
• Neck extension (8.2) and esthetic outcome (8.2) also demonstrated favorable results.

Conclusions:

• The implemented scoring system effectively evaluated donor-site morbidity after submental flap harvesting.
• Submental flap harvesting for head and neck reconstruction is associated with very low donor-site morbidity.
• This scoring system and its findings can guide future reconstructive surgical planning and patient management.