Abstract
The submental island flap (SIF), an axial patterned flap based on the submental artery and introduced by Martin et al. in 1990, meets criteria for reconstructing of selected head and neck defects for example providing thin, easily and expeditiously harvested axially perfused soft tissue, a rather long pedicle enabling the flap to reach the pharynx, and a virtually invisible donor site, almost always closed primarily and leaving a scar cosmetically acceptable.
We report flap use and surgical techniques for 4 subjects undergoing reconstruction between March and May 2009. Subjects were two each oropharynx and hypopharynx cancer cases. One oropharynx cancer case underwent reconstruction with a bipedicled SIF. Partial flap loss occurred 1 subject, but without major complication. Marginal mandibular nerve function remained intact in all 4.
The SIF is an excellent choice for reconstruction of oropharynx and hypopharynx because of its reliability, versatility, and easy application.
