Flaps based on facial arteriovenous system for the reconstruction of head-and-neck cancer defects

Abstract

Facial artery is a branch of the external carotid system extending from the upper neck to the nasion. Various flaps are described in the literature based on the facial artery and vein in the neck and face to reconstruct the head-and-neck cancer defects, either superiorly based or inferiorly based. This article summarizes the flaps and their variations based on the facial arteriovenous system. The flap harvest techniques, the indications, advantages and the limitations of the nasolabial flap, facial artery myomucosal flap, and submental flap are described, with appropriate case demonstrations. Variations of the flaps are also discussed.

Keywords

• facial artery
• head-and-neck reconstruction
• nasolabial flap
• oral cancer
• pedicled flaps
• submental flap