Submental Flap for Soft Tissue Reconstruction following Radical Parotidectomy

This study analyzed our institution's experience with a buried submental flap for soft tissue reconstruction following radical parotidectomy. A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients who had parotid malignancies requiring radical parotidectomy, who also underwent a buried submental flap reconstruction. Analysis included patient demographics and clinical, surgical, and outcome data. Three patients met criteria for this study who underwent a buried submental flap at a tertiary medical center between 2012 and 2016. All patients had oncologic surgery and reconstruction using a deepithelialized submental island flap, which was used to fill the radical parotidectomy surgical defect with no complications and good aesthetic results. Each patient received appropriate adjuvant therapy. This case series shows that the buried submental island flap is a versatile flap that is adequate bulk after radical parotidectomy. It also has no impact on hospital length of stay and provides excellent cosmetic outcomes with minimal donor site morbidity.