Quantitative analysis of chronological changes in the volume of flaps used for reconstruction of oral cavity defects

Reconstruction of oral defects using flaps following resection of oral cancer has become a standard approach for restoration of oral function. The purpose of this study was to investigate chronological changes in the volume of such flaps used for reconstruction and the factors affecting flap volume. We performed a retrospective analysis of 17 patients who had undergone oral cancer resection and reconstruction with flaps. Measurements were performed using data from computed tomography, and the flaps were selected semi-automatically using a computer-operated region-of-interest system. The data indicated that the change in total flap volume at 1 year after surgery was 30.6%, and that body weight loss was a risk factor for volume reduction. Our results suggested that flaps should be at least 30% larger than the defects they are intended to repair. However, as large flaps have the potential to cause upper airway obstruction, flap volume should be determined on an individual basis according to defect size and location.