Efficacy of Platysmamyocutaneous Flap in Oral Defects.

Abstract

Clinicians are baffling for reconstruction of small- to medium-sized defects of the oral cavity since time immemorial, each and every flap has its own limitations, ideal flap should be pliable, easily transferrable that can result in a better restoration of form and function of oral mucosa, we have platysma for the same purpose. We aim to provide surgical technique of the superiorly-based platysma myocutaneous flap with a single neck incision in this study, as well as the flap design, results, and complications associated with age, gender, the recipient site, and the size of the defect. Study included 20 patients with oral potentially malignant disorders operated under local anaesthesia with wide local excision and reconstruction with platysma myocutaneous flap at a single tertiary care centre. The association between the variables was calculated using Chi-square tests and paired t tests. P < .05 was considered significant. Five cases of dehiscence were found at varied sites and flap viability was significantly influenced by location of skin paddle. In between anterior jugular vein and posterior external jugular vein it was 100% viable while on and posterior to the vein, had skin paddle loss. Significant improvement in mouth opening was also seen in Oral Sub-mucous Fibrosis patients. The platysma flap is a technique sensitive, and its results are promising for the reconstruction of oral defects.