The palatal turnover flap- A novel random pattern flap for the reconstruction of oro-nasal defects

Abstract

Often the resection of an anterior maxilla malignancy will result in an oronasal defect with subsequent difficulty in eating, speaking, nasal discharge and poor facial aesthetics. Typically these defects can be reconstructed with either local flaps (such as a naso-labial flap) or free flaps, or managed with removable appliances such as an obturator. These have their disadvantages such as either being poorly tolerated by patients or additional surgical morbidity. This technical note outlines the technique for a novel local palatal turnover flap for reconstruction of an anterior oro-nasal defect.