Possibility of using submental flap for lower lip reconstruction

Abstract

Head and neck reconstruction surgery is a challenging area of surgery that requires the surgeon to be familiar with various reconstructive options. Achieving both functionality and aesthetic harmony of facial proportions constitutes one of the most important aspects of the head and neck defect elimination. For that various methods are used involving application of local, regional and free flaps on vascular pedicles. The reconstructive method is selected based on the defect size, location, composition, as well as on the age, comorbidity, surgeon’s and patient’s preferences. Submental flap is a regional flap that has proven to be a reliable fasciocutaneous flap, the tissues of which are identical to that of the lower face in width, texture, and color. Long vascular pedicle ensures wide flap rotation arc, thereby allowing one to use the flap for elimination of defects of the upper and lower lips, mental region, tongue, floor of the mouth, and preauricular area. Damage to the donor site is minimal, it is cosmetically invisible due to the scar hidden in the mental region. The paper presents the results of surgical treatment of the 38-year-old female patient with the soft tissue defect of the lower third of the face and the lip resulting from trauma. The wound did not heal for more than six months, no improvement was observed. It was decided to eliminate the defect using a rotation submental flap. The patient was followed up for a year after surgery. We managed to achieve complete aesthetic and functional rehabilitation of the patient.