Nasolabial flap in intraoral reconstruction. Review of 55 cases.

The nasolabial skin flap has proved very useful in reconstruction of anterior intraoral defects after ablation for cancer. The technique allows immediate single-stage reconstruction with local tissue. Minimal functional or cosmetic deformity results at the donor site. Fifty-five consecutive patients who underwent anterior intraoral reconstruction with 68 nasolabial flaps were followed up for 1 to 10 years. Only two flaps were total failures. Three flaps had partial tissue loss. Successful reconstruction without complication was obtained with 93 percent of the flaps. Technical refinements and considerations in flap design are presented.