Submental artery island flap for reconstruction of the lower and mid face

Ideal reconstruction of facial defects should be accomplished by like tissue. The submental artery island flap has the same characteristics as facial tissue, consisting of thin, pliable tissue with a perfect color match. The flap can be manipulated in different configurations employing skin, the platysma, the rim of the mandible, and the anterior belly of the digastric muscle to be utilized in the reconstruction of complex defects. The pedicle of the flap is quite reliable and enables a wide range of applicability. We have used this versatile flap successfully for various defects in 14 patients and our results are presented. Ten of the 14 flaps consisted of the skin and platysma, two flaps also included the anterior belly of the digastric muscle, one flap was elevated with the rim of the mandible, and one flap consisted of skin, the platysma, bone and muscle.