A Protocol for Management of the Hairs Problem in Oral Cavity Reconstruction by Submental Flap.

Abstract

Submental flap is a useful aid in maxillofacial reconstruction. For intraoral usage the hairs in male patients will create some problems. In a retrospective study, patients in whom submental flap had been used for reconstruction of orofacial region between 2007 and 2013, in the Mashhad University, Ghaem Hospital, were included. The ways in which the problem of hairs was solved in male patients were evaluated. There were 42 patients in whom submental flap was used for orofacial reconstruction. Sixty percent were males. Three ways had been used for management of intraoral hairs: radiotherapy (9 patients), second surgery (2 patients) and flap de-epithelialization (13 patients). Deepithelialized variant of submental flap is the best option when submental flap is used for oral cavity reconstruction in male patients. Flap thickness, age, race and postoperative radiotherapy can have strong influence on this strategy.