Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery · 1992 · 478 citations · 0 references
DentistryMaxillofacial SurgeryPlastic SurgeryCleft Palate SurgeryReconstructive Oral SurgeryReconstructive SurgeryFacial Artery SurgeryFlap DesignFlap ReconstructionFlap SurgeryOral Cavity ReconstructionSurgical Flap DesignBuccal Mucosal FlapFacial Artery Flap SurgeryFlapsMucosal FlapsMusculocutaneous FlapsPalatal FlapSoft Tissue Flap DesignSoft Tissue Flap Reconstruction
The study aims to design a new axial musculomucosal flap based on the facial artery by integrating nasolabial and buccal mucosal flap principles. The flap is constructed as an axial musculomucosal flap utilizing the facial artery. The facial artery musculomucosal (FAMM) flap proved reliable in 18 uses across 15 patients, with only one failure and two partial losses, and successfully reconstructed diverse oronasal mucosal defects such as the palate, alveolus, nasal septum, antrum, lips, floor of the mouth, and soft palate.
By combining the principles of nasolabial and buccal mucosal flaps, we have designed a new axial musculomucosal flap based on the facial artery. This flap has been designated the facial artery musculomucosal (FAMM) flap. The flap has proven to be reliable either superiorly based (retrograde flow) or inferiorly based (antegrade flow). It is versatile and has been used 18 times in 15 patients, with one failure and two partial losses. It has been used successfully to reconstruct a wide variety of difficult oronasal mucosal defects, including defects of the palate, alveolus, nasal septum, antrum, upper and lower lips, floor of the mouth, and soft palate.