Restoration of Oral Competence With Local Advancement Flap After Free-Flap Reconstruction

Surgical management of head and neck cancer (HNC) can result in significant functional deficits. Large tumors of the oral cavity may require extensive resection and the need for microvascular free-flap reconstruction involving the use of adynamic tissue. This may result in oral incompetence, drooling, and unsatisfactory esthetic outcomes. Maintenance of the orbicularis oris and function of the oral sphincter are important objectives in the reconstruction of large defects. When this cannot be accomplished, secondary local flaps can be employed to restore the orbicularis oris.

We present 2 cases of oral incompetence following microvascular free- flap reconstruction for large resections of HNC.

All cases were managed with debulking of flap, modified Karapandzic flaps, and advancement of composite skin, muscle, and buccal mucosa to restore the function of the oral sphincter and improve oral competence. The surgical techniques demonstrated in our cases resulted in improvement in both functional and esthetic outcomes.

Restoring continuity of the orbicularis oris muscle is a critical functional and esthetic consideration in microvascular free flap reconstruction where the lip is involved or disrupted. However, when this cannot be achieved, restoration of the oral sphincter and oral commissure can be achieved with a secondary reconstructive procedure.