Reconstruction of Perioral Defects Following Resection for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Purpose
The aim of this study was to review and describe techniques for the reconstruction of large, complex perioral defects after resection of oral squamous cell carcinoma with emphasis on cosmetic and functional outcome.
Patients and Methods
A review of techniques and selected case presentations using different flap designs for the reconstruction of large perioral defects following resection of squamous cell carcinoma was performed. The Bernard and Karapandzic flaps were used for large lower lip defects. A Zisser flap technique was used to reconstruct a large commissure defect.
Results
All reconstructed patients had acceptable functional results and healed without complication. The large lower lip defects were easily closed with the Bernard and Karapandzic flaps. The commissure defect was reconstructed using the Zisser technique. While cosmesis was acceptable in all cases, the commissure was the most difficult region to reconstruct with a favorable appearance. There were no flap failures. The Karapandzic flap led to greater rounding of the commissure area and the composite resection resulted in a lack of lower lip support that was improved with prosthesis. Function was noted to be excellent in the Bernard and Karapandzic flaps, with the patients able to purse lips and blow up balloon-type devices.
Conclusion
The Bernard, Karapandzic, and Zisser flaps provide a predictable method to reconstruct large perioral defects following resection for oral cancer. Subsequent fabrication of a prosthesis can aid in lip support for the resected area.
⁎Fellow in Pathology and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA.
†Professor and Chairman, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA.
‡Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA.
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Schmidt: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 521 Parnassus C-522, San Francisco, CA 94143-0440
ABSTRACT