Intraoral Reconstruction using Palatal Island Flap

ABSTRACT

A Principle of reconstruction is to minimize secondary morbidity using a simple and safe technique, which is to make the best result of shape and fuction after reconstruction using like tissue. Among the many method for oral cavity reconstruction, the palatal island flap is just one of methods which satisfies the principle of reconstruction. We have retrospectively reviewed 7 cases between June 1997 and January 2003 in which palatal island flap were used for the primary reconstruction of postablative intraoral defect. The Incision was made 1cm medial to the teeth and 0.5cm anterior to the junction of the soft and hard palate. The vascular pedicle was carefully identified. We fractured the hamulus of the pterygoid plate and resected the greater palatine foramen as a wedge shape to get an extension of vascular pedicle. The flap to be rotated through 180? into the surgical defect. Postoperative complications containing necrosis, inflammation, wound dehiscence, oronasal fistula did not occur. The palatal donor site was left granulate after applying Terudermis(R) and recovered by secondary intention in 2 weeks with little residual deformity. Palatal island flap offers a reliable method of primary reconstruction for intraoral defect.