Sajith Babu Thavarool
Malabar Cancer Centre
Title: Oncological safety of Submental Artery Island Flap in Reconstruction of Defects after Oral Cancer Surgery
Biography
Biography: Sajith Babu Thavarool
Abstract
Introduction: The reconstruction of surgical defects after Oncological resections after oral cancer often poses a difficult challenge.The submental artery island flap (SAIF) is an option in reconstruction of selected oral cavity defects. There has been doubts on the oncological safety of SAIF as dissections of level 1 is considered difficult. This study is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data to find out the oncological safety of SAIF. Methodology: The details of patients undergoing reconstruction with SAIF after resections for oral cancer during the period June 2009- June 2013 were prospectively recorded. This database was analysed retrospectively to see the outcome of patients. Results: 400 resections were done for oral cavity cancers during the period of four years. Fifty patients with SAIF reconstruction were evaluated for their outcome. Majority were T2 lesions (68 %). Mean duration of surgery was 3.25 hours. Average postoperative stay was 8 days. Level 1A was cleared in 41 patients. One patient had complete loss of the flap ,7 had partial loss. 30 had adjuvant radiotherapy,two received concurrent chemotherapy. The median follow up was 28 months. Four had recurrence in the primary site.There was no recurrence beneath the flap. Six patients had ipsilateral nodal recurrence and contra lateral nodal recurrence in five patients. Conclusion: Submental artery island flap is a safe option in reconstruction of selected oral cavity defects.