Pedicled nasolabial flap as graft in oral submucous fibrosis

Introduction: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is chronic, insidious, debilitating condition of oral cavity and sometimes pharynx, characterized by progressive hyalinization of juxtaepithelial tissue and progressive fibrosis of the oral cavity. This precancerous condition is caused by betelnut chewing and is mainly endemic to the Asian subcontinent. Arecanut is identified as group one carcinogen by International Agency for research on cancer (IARC). OSMF has a high malignant transformation rate of 7-30%.5 A variety of treatment modalities are suggested.None of the modalities provide the complete remission of the disease and are aimed at improving the functions of the mouth like chewing and opening of mouth. Materials and Methods: Five patients in stage III or IV were treated with the incision of bands, and reconstruction with pedicled nasolabial flap. Results: The preoperative, intraoperative and post-operative mouth opening were compared. There was significant increase in intraoperative and post operative mouth opening. The mean increase of intraoperative mouth opening was 25.6mm and mean increase of post-operative mouth opening was 19.2mm. Discussion: Nasolabial flap has been used for reconstruction of many extraoral and intraoral defects. This versatile flap is well vascularized supplied by facial artery and angular artery. There is a minimal donor site deformity and good esthetic results postoperatively. We used a single stage nasolabial island flap to reconstruct the tissue in OSMF. We did this study to evaluate the outcomes of a nasolabial island flap pedicled on facial artery postoperatively.