Reconstruction of intraoral defects with superior labial artery musculo-mucosal flap: a preliminary clinical study.

In this article, we present the use of the superior labial artery musculo-mucosal (SLAMM) flap for intraoral reconstruction. The study included five patients (2 females, 3 males; mean age 36 years; range 11 to 56 years) who consulted at our clinic between October 2008 and January 2010. Five oral defects were reconstructed with the SLAMM flap. Three patients underwent reconstruction with SLAMM flap following oncologic resection. The other two patients had traumatic defects in the oral cavity which necessitated flap application. First, the distal end of the flap was incised and the superior labial artery was identified after dissection. After ligation of the artery, the mucosa, submucosa and the cuff of orbicularis oris muscle were elevated. The dissection was extended laterally and anteriorly, depending on the necessary flap size. None of the patients had partial or total flap necrosis. During the follow-up period, contracture developed in only one patient. Successful reconstruction was observed in all patients. The superior labial artery musculo-mucosal flap is a simple and feasible technique which can be used for reconstruction of intraoral defects.