Reconstruction of oral mucosal defects using the nasolabial flap: clinical experience with 22 patients

BACKGROUND: Various surgical options are available for reconstruction of intraoral soft tissue defects. For smaller defects of the oral mucosa in different anatomic locations of the oral cavity the nasolabial flap is a very useful and simple alternative to other pedicled flaps and free flaps. METHODS: The results of reconstruction of oral mucosal defects or facial skin defects using 29 nasolabial flaps in 22 patients were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The patient group consisted of 16 patients (70%) with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, 2 patients (10%) with cystic lesions of the maxilla, 3 patients (15%) with osteonecrosis of the jaw, and 1 patient with an oral metastasis of a lung carcinoma. Healing was uneventful in 93%, partial or complete flap loss was observed in 7%. CONCLUSIONS: The nasolabial flap is a valuable alternative for reconstruction of smaller defects of the oral cavity in particular in older and medically compromised patients.