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Use of the submental vessels for free gracilis muscle transfer for smile reanimation
Author(s) -
Goyal Neerav,
Jowett Nathan,
Dwojak Sunshine,
Cunane Mary Beth,
Zander David,
Hadlock Tessa A.,
Emerick Kevin S.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.24478
Subject(s) - gracilis muscle , medicine , free flap , anastomosis , anatomy , surgery , cephalic vein , artery , vein
Background Free muscle transfer is an important in dynamic facial reanimation; however, suitable donor vessels in this population can be inadequate. In this case series, the submental vessels were used as donors to free gracilis muscle in vessel‐depleted patients. Methods Five patients underwent free gracilis muscle transfer for smile reanimation, 2 with a prior failed free gracilis transfer, 2 with vascular anomalies, and 1 with previous distal ligation of the facial vessels. The submental artery was used as a donor in all cases, and the submental vein was used in 3 cases. Results There were no complications or flap failure. Postoperative arterial and venous blood flow was confirmed in all patients using Doppler color flow imaging above and below the anastomoses. Conclusion The submental vessels are suitable for microvascular anastomosis for free flaps having short pedicles, such as the free gracilis muscle flap, in the vessel‐depleted hemiface. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: First–E2503, 2016