Oral and maxillofacial reconstruction using rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (Original Article)

Abstract

One hundred and forty-seven patients who underwent oral and maxillofacial reconstruction using rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (RAM) flaps between 1995-2012 were available for this study. Reconstruction sites were subdivided into the effects on the mandible (N = 39), maxilla (N = 33), tongue (N = 35), floor of mouth (N = 19), buccal mucosa (N = 16), soft palate (N = 5). The overall free flap success rate was 98% (144/147). Four patients with abdominal hernias were observed in the donor site, but no operative procedure was performed.The RAM flap is a reliable reconstruction choice for oral and maxillofacial defects, and is useful for reconstruction of large defects. For example, mandibular continuity was restored by a metal plate and the muscle bulk fills the defect between the metal plate and the mandible, while the small defect cases need to reduce the size of harvested subcutaneous fat and rectus abdominal muscle. The possibilities of a suitable harvested volume can provide many modifications for the RAM flap for various reconstruction sites.