Role of the Pedicled Mentalis Muscle Flap in Closure of Chin Implants in Genioplasty

Abstract

Summary:With the purpose of obtaining an aesthetically pleasing chin appearance, genioplasty or chin augmentation can be performed through osteotomy or chin implantation, with the latter available in different sizes and materials such as silicone and porous polyethylene. The implants are traditionally placed in a subperiosteal or supraperiosteal plane with different advantages and disadvantages to each. This procedure has evolved through time with many techniques and modifications; and this article is an addition to this ongoing refinement by advocating for closure of the mentalis muscle (a paired chin muscle originating from the incisor fossa to the chin skin) over the implant after securing its position with screws (in the case of porous polyethylene) or creating a snug pocket (in the case of silicone). In this retrospective analysis, 15 patients underwent this procedure with an excellent outcome. A single patient developed numbness in the mandibular nerve territory, while another one developed a fistulating radicular cyst that was unrelated to this technique. In addition to the simple learning curve, the potential advantages of this technique include less chances of fistula formation, implant exposure, infection, extrusion, or malpositioning. Prospective studies with more subjects are required to cement our findings.