Abstract

Diverse flaps are used for the reconstruction of various intraoral lining defects in patients with oral cancer. If flaps are properly selected according to each patient’s need, it gives satisfactory functional and cosmetic results with minimal or no morbidity. Here we are to evaluate the usefulness of submental island flap for the reconstruction of tongue and other intraoral soft tissue defects.
Methods: Patients who underwent intraoral reconstruction using submental island flaps were selected.Postoperatively the patients were assessed for the functional status in terms of Ryle’s tube feeding, speech intelligibility, swallowing and tongue mobility. They were also assessed for flap loss and donor site scars. Usefulness of submental island flap was assessed with these criteria.
Results: Over two years submental flaps were used for 17 oral cancer patients in the departments. Except for one case of partial flap loss, and one case of epithelial loss, all flaps survived. Venous congestion of the flap was observed in 4 cases for a few days. All patients had good functional and cosmetic results.
Conclusion: Submental island flap is a simple and reliable reconstructive option for intraoral lining defects after resection for oral cancers. It leaves a well-hidden donor site without much morbidity. It is ideal for reconstruction of moderate defects of tongue, buccal mucosa, lip, and after marginal mandibulectomy.  It is less time consuming, less tedious, and more cost effective than microsurgical reconstruction.