Submental versus platysma flap for the reconstruction of complex facial defects following resection of head and neck tumors

Abstract

Objective: To compare the platysma flap with submental flap in terms of tumor and flap characteristics, operative properties and the functional outcomes.

Methods: A total of 65 patients presented with tumors of head and neck and underwent curative tumor resection with different neck dissections at the Department of Oromaxillofacial-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Stomatology of China Medical University; from March 2005 to December 2012 were included in the study. After radical tumor excision and neck dissection the resultant complex defects were reconstructed with either platysma flap or the submental flap. The extent of surgical resection, the type of neck dissection and choice of flap reconstruction was at the discretion of the surgical team. The functional outcomes, operative time and characteristics of both platysma and submental flaps were compared and the statistical tests of significance were applied accordingly.

Results: The mean age was 60 years. The complex facial defects of 30 patients were reconstructed with platysma flap and of 35 patients with submental flap. Mean operation time of submental flap including flap harvesting (5.58