The Superiorly Based Platysma Flap for Oral Reconstruction in Conjunction With Neck Dissection: A Case Series
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to access the reliability and use of the superiorly based platysma flap for reconstruction of small and medium oral defects.
Patients and Methods
This case series consists of 5 patients who were reconstructed with a superiorly based platysma flap for defects of the following oral region: buccal mucosa, floor of the mouth, and lateral gingiva. The flaps were monitored for complications, including skin loss and ischemia in the postoperative period.
Results
Three patients (60%) had some skin sloughing in the recipient site. None of the patients had complications in the donor site.
Conclusion
The superiorly based platysma flap can survive after the facial artery has been ligated, which is the normal procedure during neck dissection. If skin sloughing occurs, it is usually inconsequential for intraoral reconstruction because the underlying muscle remains viable and undergoes epithelialization.
⁎Professor and Head of the Department, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery “G. Papanikolaou” General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
†Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery “G. Papanikolaou” General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
‡Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery “G. Papanikolaou” General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Address correspondence and reprint request to Dr Lazaridis: 10 Mitr Gennadiou Str, Thessaloniki GR 54631 Greece
ABSTRACT