Surgery for severe trismus in submucous fibrosis

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic oral potentially malignant disorder.
• Severe trismus is a debilitating symptom of OSMF, significantly impacting quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of bilateral full-thickness naso-labial flaps in treating severe trismus associated with OSMF.
• To compare the outcomes of this flap technique with existing treatment modalities.

Main Methods:

• Surgical correction using bilateral full-thickness naso-labial flaps.
• Flaps were inset into defects created by oral mucosa incision.
• Assessment of postoperative rehabilitation and long-term trismus relief.

Main Results:

• Successful long-term relief of severe trismus in all three treated patients.
• Favorable postoperative rehabilitation outcomes observed.
• The naso-labial flap technique proved effective for trismus correction in OSMF.

Conclusions:

• Bilateral full-thickness naso-labial flaps are a successful surgical option for managing severe trismus in oral submucous fibrosis.
• This technique offers a viable alternative with good rehabilitation results for OSMF patients.
• The study advocates for the routine use of this method in relevant clinical cases.