Premium
Morbidity of marginal mandibular nerve post vascularized submental lymph node flap transplantation
Author(s) -
Chang Tommy NaiJen,
Lee CheHsiung,
Lin Jennifer AnJou,
Cheng MingHuei
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.26191
Subject(s) - medicine , surgery , palsy , lymph node , pathology , alternative medicine
Background This study investigated the morbidity of the marginal mandibular nerve (MMN) post vascularized submental lymph node (VSLN) harvest. Methods The VSLN with sacrifying or preserving the medial platysma was retrospectively classified as group I or II. Midline deviation and horizontal tilt were subjectively evaluated. Horizontal, vertical, and “area distribution” of the lower lip excursions of the surgical site were objectively compared with the nonsurgical site. Results Seventeen patients in group I and 12 patients in group II were included. At a median follow‐up of 48.6 ± 16.8 months in group I and 14.8 ± 7.5 months in group II, no MMN palsy was found in both groups. Median midline deviation and horizontal tilt were 4.53 ± 0.52 and 5 ± 0 in group I and 4.67 ± 0.65 and 5 ± 0 in group II, respectively ( P = .419 and 1.000). Median horizontal, vertical and area of distribution of lower lip excursions were 97.5 ± 12.3%, 98.8 ± 14.4% and 87.2 ± 14.7% in group I, and 99.3 ± 15.1%, 95.8 ± 8.2% and 84.2 ± 14.2% in group II, respectively ( P = .679, .948 and .711). Conclusion The VSLN flap was a safe procedure with minimal MMN morbidity.