Erratum to: Reconstructive management of the rare bilateral oral submucos fibrosisusing nasolabial flap in comparison with free radial forearm flap - a randomisedprospective trial

Abstract

Background

Oral sub mucous fibrosis is a rare chronic, progressive, pre malignant collagendisorder of oral mucosa in people of Asian descent characterized by trismus,blanching and stiffness of mucosa, burning sensation in mouth and hypomobility ofsoft palate and tongue with loss of gustatory sensation. Betel nut chewing is themost common etiological agent. Surgery remains the main stay in severe cases andaims at release of fibrotic bands and resurfacing the raw areas with differentoptions. Reconstruction can be done by using nasolabial flap or radial freeforearm flap. The purpose of this study was to compare the mouth opening after thereconstruction with either nasolabial flap or radial free forearm flap.

Methods

This study was carried out on fifty (50) patients with oral sub mucous fibrosis.Twenty five (25) of these were reconstructed by nasolabial flap and twenty five(25) were reconstructed by radial free forearm flap. At different intervals oftheir post-operative visits, they were evaluated for the interincisal distance andthe difference between the two groups was assessed.

Results

Average increase in interincisal distance was greater in patients reconstructedwith radial free forearm flap compared with patient reconstructed by nasolabialflap i.e. 18.96 mm and 15.16 mm respectively with ‘P’ value >0.05.

Conclusions

Based on the results of this study, there was no significant difference in mouthopening after reconstruction with radial forearm free flap compared to nasolabialflap.

Correction

Since publication of this article [1] it has come to ourattention that we had overstated our conclusions inthe abstract. There was no significant difference inmouth opening between the two techniques. We haveprovided a revised abstract below.