Journal of Tissue Engineering and Reconstructive Surgery ›› 2023, Vol. 19 ›› Issue (2): 130-.

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Clinical application of submental island flap in repairing the postoperative defect of hypopharyngeal carcinoma: Single centre experience

  

  • Online:2023-04-01 Published:2023-05-09

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Abstract:

Objective　To review the clinical application of submental island flap (SIF) in repairing the postoperative defect
of hypopharyngeal carcinoma, and discuss the anatomical design, clinical application and repair effects based on our single cen
ter experience combined with fresh perfusion cadavers study. Methods　The anatomical analysis of 6 SIFs in 3 freshly perfused
adult cadavers was firstly carried out. Combined with clinical experience, 13 patients with submental island flap repair after
hypopharyngeal cancer resection were reviewed, all of them were male, with an average age of 55 years. Postoperative defects
included piriform fossa and posterior hypopharyngeal wall. The anatomical essentials and techniques of SIFs, the protection
of vascular pedicle and the management of submandibular lymph nodes were described in detail. Results　All 13 SIFs were
healed primarily. The hypopharyngeal functions were satisfied. The main complication of the donor site was transient paralysis
of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve (3/13, 23%). The donor site was primarily closed without skin grafting.
Conclusion　SIF may be an appropriate option for repairing hypopharyngeal defects. The vascular pedicle of the flap is con
stant and the survival rate is high. The skin flap can be obtained in the same surgical area as the hypopharyngeal cancer surgery,
which is convenient to harvest, and it can also take into account the management of lymph nodes in Level Ⅰ.

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