Submental Island Flap After Prior Contralateral Neck Dissection: A Case Series and Technical Considerations

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Submental Island Flap After Prior Contralateral Neck Dissection: A Case Series and Technical Considerations Via otol rhinol Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2021 Nov 26:34894211059307. doi: 10.1177/00034894211059307. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: The submental island flap is a dependable workhorse in head and neck reconstruction. However, the viability of this flap has not been established for oral cavity reconstruction when a contralateral neck dissection has already been performed in an earlier surgical setting. The aim of this study is to highlight technical considerations and outcomes of this approach with a small case series. METHODS: Three cases of oral cavity reconstruction with a submental island flap elevated in the context of a prior contralateral neck dissection are presented. RESULTS: In all cases, a doppler was used to identify the maintenance of the submental perforator in the neck opposite the previous neck dissection. In 2 cases, level IA was included within the dissection field of the previous neck dissection. Additionally, the old neck scar was included within the skin paddle of the submental island flap in 2 cases. In all cases, excellent healing of the flap was observed without partial or complete loss. CONCLUSIONS: The submental island flap appears to be a reliable reconstruction when a previous contralateral neck dissection has been performed, even when level IA was included in the prior dissection. PMID:34823369 | DOI:10.1177/00034894211059307 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.