Clinical study of facial artery island flap for reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial tissue defects in 96 consecutive patients

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical effect of facial artery island flap for immediate reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects. METHODS: From March 2007 to August 2015, the clinical data of 96 patients with facial artery island flap for reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects were recorded and analyzed, including 46 patients undergoing anterograde facial artery flap and 50 patients undergoing reversed facial artery flap. The short-term and long-term clinical effect, including receipt site, flap survival, facial appearance and function, and postoperative complications were investigated． RESULTS: The overall success rate for facial artery island flap was 96.9%(93/96), 95.7% for anterograde flap (44/46), and 98.0% for reversed flap (49/50). All patients were followed up for six months to 6 years. The facial appearance and flap texture were satisfied. The speech and swallowing function was ideal. The scar was concealed. One patient had cervical recurrence, three had contralateral cervical lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: The facial artery island flap of submandibular area can be used to repair maxillofacial defects of medium and small sizes. The operation is simple. The reversed facial artery flap is suitable to repair upper one-third of maxillofacial defect, the survival rate is high and cosmetic outcome is ideal.