To investigate the feasibility and effect of buccal facial artery flap for the reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects.

From July 2012 to September 2019, 15 cases of buccal facial artery flap for the reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were followed up for at least 1 year. The clinical data were collected, such as basic information, pathological diagnosis, operative time, blood loss and hospital stay. The clinical examination was carried out carefully. The functional examination of mouth opening was completed after the operation. The data were analyzed by SPSS 19.0. The mean and standard deviation of operation time, blood loss and hospital stay were calculated. The results were expressed in the form of (mean ± standard deviation) .

After clinical follow-up over 1-year, all buccal facial artery flaps for the reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects were alive. The average operative time was (5.49 ± 0.76) h, and the average blood loss was (382.67 ± 63.86) mL, whilethe average hospital stay was (17.73 ± 2.49) d. The maximum size of buccal flap was 8 cm × 4 cm. All flaps survived without necrosis and with good blood supply 2 weeks after operation. The survival rate of flaps was 100%. The average mouth opening was (3.86 ± 0.14) cm 1 year after the operation. All the 15 patients had normal mouth opening. However, three male patients had discomfort from the beards on the flap. The scar located in the buccal region below the corner of the mouth overlapped with the facial wrinkle.

Buccal facial artery flap for the reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects has satisfactory clinical effects. It can repair small and medium-sized defects in the middle and lower part of oral and maxillofacial region. Buccal facial artery flap for the reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects has the advantages of small trauma and high survival rate. This flap could be carried out in the same operation after the tumor resection. After the operation, the mouth opening recovers well with minor scar.