The Superiorly Based Platysma Flap for Oral Reconstruction in Conjunction With Neck Dissection: A Case Series

Efficacy of Platysma myocutaneous Flap in Oral Defects

Introduction

Clinicians are baffling for reconstruction of small- to medium-sized defects of the oral cavity since time immemorial, each and every flap has its own limitations, ideal flap should be pliable, easily transferrable that can result in a better restoration of form and function of oral mucosa, we have platysma for the same purpose.

Aims

We aim to provide surgical technique of the superiorly-based platysma myocutaneous flap with a single neck incision in this study, as well as the flap design, results, and complications associated with age, gender, the recipient site, and the size of the defect.

Materials and methods

Study included 20 patients with oral potentially malignant disorders operated under local anaesthesia with wide local excision and reconstruction with platysma myocutaneous flap at a single tertiary care centre.

Statistical Analysis

The association between the variables was calculated using Chi-square tests and paired t tests. P < .05 was considered significant.

Results

Five cases of dehiscence were found at varied sites and flap viability was significantly influenced by location of skin paddle. In between anterior jugular vein and posterior external jugular vein it was 100% viable while on and posterior to the vein, had skin paddle loss. Significant improvement in mouth opening was also seen in Oral Sub-mucous Fibrosis patients.

Conclusion

The platysma flap is a technique sensitive, and its results are promising for the reconstruction of oral defects.

Cheek reconstruction following facial malignant melanoma surgery with the platysma myocutaneous flap

The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of large cheek skin defect reconstruction using a superiorly based platysma myocutaneous flap accompanied by facial artery and vein preservation, following cutaneous head and neck melanoma surgery. This study offers new insight into a procedure that is a viable, but infrequently used reconstruction option. The authors report the cases of 13 consecutive patients with cheek skin defects following melanoma surgery who underwent reconstruction with a superiorly based platysma myocutaneous flap. The procedures were performed at a tertiary clinical centre and a national melanoma surgery referral centre between 2001 and 2008. According to the disease stage, eight patients underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy and five underwent comprehensive neck dissections. All of the patients were monitored for any complications related to the donor and recipient sites. Minor venous congestion of the flap was noted in two patients, with minor marginal skin necrosis in one patient. None of the patients had donor site complications. The superiorly based platysma flap proved to be a safe and reliable option for large cheek defect reconstruction, especially considering that it is a single-stage reconstruction procedure ensuring excellent colour-matching and low donor site morbidity.

The posterosuperiorly based platysmal myocutaneous flap: the underutilized reconstructive option

The platysmal myocutaneous flap has shown promising results for the reconstruction of defects in the head and neck region. It has been successfully used for the reconstruction of the defects over the cheek, floor of the mouth, buccal mucosa, tongue, lower lip, mandibular alveolus, hypopharnx and supraglotic larynx. The posteriorly and the superiorly based platysmal flaps have a wide range of applicability in the reconstruction of intraoral defects. In the present series we have used a posterosuperiorly based platysmal flap which has shown encouraging results. It was also found that leaving the base of the mandible intact helps in maintaining the periosteal blood supply which further contributes to the survival of the flap. The thinness, arc of rotation, pliability and ease of availability of the platysmal myocutaneous flap gives the reconstructive surgeon an additional option, especially when a microvascular flap is not feasible.

The platysma myocutaneous flap

Reconstructing defects of the oral mucosa or skin of the lower one-third of the face can be accomplished by a variety of techniques. This article presents two versions of the platysma myocutaneous flap, which is a reliable, axial pattern, pedicled flap capable of providing excellent one-stage reconstruction of such defects. As discussed herein, the superiorly based and posteriorly based versions of the flap have wide application in the oral and facial region. Also provided is a review of other uses of this flap in head and neck surgery.

Platysma myocutaneous flap - its current role in reconstructive surgery of oral soft tissue defects

Reconstruction of oral soft-tissue defects following resection of oral carcinomas can be achieved using various techniques including microsurgical tissue transfer. However, there seems to be a role for regional or local flaps. Small to medium-size defects can be functionally reconstructed with the platysma myocutaneous flap as an excellent choice particularly in medically compromised patients not being eligible for free tissue transfer. The present paper reviews the indication, surgical technique, and complications following reconstruction of defects of the oral cavity with the platysma myocutaneous flap.

Platysma flap: an alternative to free flaps

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this paper is to show that platysma flaps have good results and should be an alternative in reconstructive surgery for oral tumors when microsurgery is not possible. It is a versatile, portable, and thin flap, is easy to perform, and can be obtained during neck dissection, with a primary closure of the donor site.

METHODS

Five cases are presented, three men and two women, 51 and 71 years old, with medium size (2-4 cm) defects of oral cavity after the excision of squamous cell carcinomas. All of them were reconstructed with a platysma flap after neck dissection. This reconstruction technique was chosen because of the poor conditions of these patients to allow a microsurgical reconstruction.

RESULTS

Non-local complications occurred with this technique. Overall aesthetic results were acceptable in all the patients. There were no cases of total necrosis flap, dehiscence, fistula or fibrosis. Only one case of partial necrosis occurred in one end of the flap, which was resolved with excision of necrotic tissue and closure by secondary intention.

CONCLUSION

The platysma flap is a good method to reconstruct small and medium sized defects of oral cavity, especially in patients where a microsurgery reconstruction is not possible.

Platysma myocutaneous flap for oral cavity reconstruction

A retrospective study was conducted to assess outcomes of reconstruction of the oral cavity with the platysma myocutaneous flap, in terms of flap survival, complications, and quality of life. Included were 10 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (stage T1 to T4; nodal status NO to N2) of the oral cavity who were treated between 2002 and 2006. Each patient underwent tumor resection, modified radical neck dissection, and primary reconstruction with a platysma myocutaneous flap. Operating time, length of stay, time to swallow, and complications were assessed, and the University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire was administered. Mean operating time was <4 hours, mean length of stay was 11 days, and mean time to swallow was 9 days. One patient had distal flap necrosis and one had wound dehiscence. No total flap failures or fistulas occurred. The authors conclude that the platysma myocutaneous flap provides thin, pliable, reliable tissue for use in the oral cavity. The additional operating room time is negligible, the surgical complications minimal, and the overall quality of life very good. This flap should be used more frequently in the reconstruction of oral cavity defects.