Donor Site Morbidity in Submental Flap: Emphasizing on Facial Hairs Direction

INTRODUCTION: Donor site morbidity is an important factor for selecting a flap for reconstruction. Submental flap using submentum skin for reconstruction has low donor site morbidity. Up to now, donor site morbidity of submental flap in Caucasians has not been evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, donor site morbidity of the submental flap including changes in hair direction, hypertrophic scars, and suture marks was evaluated. RESULTS: Forty patients with at least 2 years of follow-up were evaluated. Female patients indicated better esthetic results. Abrupt beard hair direction change occurred in five male patients. Two hypertrophic scars and one suture mark were recorded. CONCLUSION: The direction of beard hairs in submentum may be changed after submental flap harvest. Accordingly, this is important in some ethnic and religious groups.