The Usefulness of Cervical Island Skin Flap for Intraoral Repair of Oral Surgery

Abstract

Oral cancer is typically treated with surgical excision, and this frequently results in a large defect and severe functional problems. Local flap reconstruction is applicable to restoring appearance and function, and it causes less surgical stress than a vascularized free flap.

In 1969 Farr et al reported the cervical island skin flap for the reconstructions of oral cancer. This flap is due to short operating time, low morbidity, and good functional and aesthetic results. This flap is not only an alternative to microvascular flaps but also an excellent reconstructive choice especially in cases where free tissue transfer cannot be carried out.

We have also used this cervical island skin flap in selected cases. The operations that the wide broad platysma was included in the base of flap showed better results recently. Hence, cervical island skin flap should be considered as a choice of local flap for oral reconstruction depending on the defect size of oral cavity.

In this presentation, we would like to show some cases that we experienced recently.