Abstract:

Objective

To analysis the reliability of facial artery flap in repairing tissue defect after neoplasm ablation in oral and maxillofacial region.

Methods

The clinical outcomes of 39 tissue defect cases repaired by facial artery flap after oral and maxillofacial region in oral maxillofacial region from June 2005 to June 2010 were observed.

Results

Among 39 cases， the facial artery flap survived in 37 cases， but partial necrosis of the distal ledge of the flap healed after pruning and changing dressings in 2 patients.All patients were followed up for 1 year to 6 years.No cancer recurrence or death cases were reported.Both function and appearance were satisfactory.

Conclusions

Facial artery flap is a good reconstruction way for soft tissue defects after cancer ablation in oral and maxillofacial， because of sufficient blood supply， venous patency， high reliability， high flap survival rate， concealed area， no additional surgery incision，moderately good skin color and texture match.However， excluding cervical lymph node metastases and the facial artery assessment before surgery were necessary.

Key words: Oral and maxillofacial region, Malignant neoplasms, Tissue defect, Facial artery flap