Reconstruction of soft tissue defect after maxillectomy of ameloblastic carcinoma with submental island flap: a case report and literature review

Ameloblastic carcinoma (AC) is an extremely rare malignant odontogenic tumor. The mean age of occurrence for all 141 AC cases analyzed in our systematic review study was 43.59±19.51 years. Males were more affected than females, and the mandible was predominantly affected compared with the maxilla. The main clinical manifestation was a painful or painless swelling with ulceration and radiographic features usually displayed as mixed cystic or solid changes. Surgical resection was the first recommended method of management. Fourteen cases had cervical lymph node spread, 19 had distant metastasis (most commonly in the lung), and 33 had recurrence. We present a rare case of AC involving the maxillary region. Locally extensive surgical resection was carried out. Ablative defects after maxillectomy resulted in the communication of oral cavity and nasal cavity/maxillary antrum and would bring about difficulties in mastication, deglutition, and speech. A submental island flap was applied to close the oronasal and oroantral fistula. The flap and the wounds healed well, with excellent outcomes in terms of appearance, the function of speech, and swallowing on follow up. The submental island flap provides a relatively thin, easy-to-harvest, and well-vascularized tissue, which makes it a reliable option in soft tissue reconstruction of the oral and maxillofacial region.