Myomucosal cheek flaps: applications in intraoral reconstruction using three different techniques

Abstract

The use of myomucosal flaps harvested from the cheek area for intraoral reconstruction has been recently popularized in the literature. Several surgical techniques have been reported, and each study has described the outcomes and advantages of each method. However, the literature lacks a summary of the various surgical techniques utilizing buccinator myomucosal flaps. This paper examines the use of the 3 most important buccinator myomucosal flaps: the buccinator musculomucosal flap, the facial artery musculomucosal flap, and the buccinator musculomucosal island flap. We clarify the applications of each technique in intraoral reconstruction and discuss the indications for, and advantages and disadvantages of, each flap. Forty-six patients who underwent surgical resection for malignancies of the oral cavity and reconstructions with cheek flaps were retrospectively studied. All flaps were harvested and transposed. Complete loss of the flap occurred in only 1 case. In 2 cases, marginal necrosis of the flap took place, with complete spontaneous healing in 2 weeks. Buccinator musculomucosal flaps are a good option for reconstruction of moderately sized oral cavity defects. A key point in this procedure is flap selection based on not only the size and site of the defect, but also the patient's characteristics and type of surgical procedure.