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Free Gastric Flap for Oral Reconstruction—a Feasibility Study in Oral Defects

Indian Journal of Surgical Oncology volume 12, pages 172–176 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Free flap transfer is a standard practice in reconstruction of oral defects. Fasciocutaneous flaps are commonly used for reconstruction of soft tissue defects. Replacement of oral mucosa with skin often causes discomfort, foreign body sensation, dysgeusia, problems with skin hair and morbidity at the donor site. Morbidity at the donor site may interfere with physical activity among manual labourers.

Materials and methods

We prospectively analysed nine cases of oral cavity defects reconstructed with free gastro-omental flap over 4 months from March to July 2019. A free gastric flap based on right and left gastric artery and vascular arcade was harvested from the body of stomach. Feasibility, technical aspects, advantages and disadvantages of the flap are reviewed.

Results

Flap survival was 100%. No re-exploration for salvage was required. Flap was monitored for viability by colour change and capillary refill. All the nine cases healed well. One patient required readmission for bleeding from the raw area exposed at the margins of the flap. Patient satisfaction and quality of life was satisfactory. Long pedicle length, rich submucosal vascular network, dual pedicles available for anastomosis, like to like mucosal tissue replacement and low donor site morbidity make it a reliable option in the armamentarium of oral reconstruction.

Conclusion

Free gastro-omental flap is a feasible and reliable tissue available for reconstruction of oral soft tissue defects.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. Consultant Oncosurgery Unit, Mahatma Gandhi Cancer Hospital, Miraj, India

    Suneel Kaushik Komanduri

  2. Department of Head And Neck Surgery Unit, Mahatma Gandhi Cancer Hospital, Miraj, India

    Dinshaw Hormuzdi, Dipti Babasaheb Patil, Jayesh Shirishkumar Khivasara, Sanika G. S. Kulkarni & Shivani Sharad Desai

  3. Shiv Cancer Institute , Miraj, India

    Sharad Shankar Desai

Authors
  1. Suneel Kaushik Komanduri
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  2. Dinshaw Hormuzdi
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  3. Sharad Shankar Desai
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  4. Dipti Babasaheb Patil
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  5. Jayesh Shirishkumar Khivasara
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  6. Sanika G. S. Kulkarni
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  7. Shivani Sharad Desai
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Correspondence to Shivani Sharad Desai.

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Komanduri, S.K., Hormuzdi, D., Desai, S.S. et al. Free Gastric Flap for Oral Reconstruction—a Feasibility Study in Oral Defects. Indian J Surg Oncol 12, 172–176 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13193-020-01276-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13193-020-01276-3

Keywords

  • Gastric
  • Omentum
  • Reconstruction
  • Tongue