Bilateral, buccinator myomucosal advancement flaps to reconstruct central upper labial myomucosal defects after ablation of early-stage cancer in minor salivary glands.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of upper labial myomucosal defects is surgically challenging. AIMS: We evaluated whether central defects could be repaired using bilateral, buccinator myomucosal advancement flaps (b-BMAFs). METHODS: We evaluated five patients with early-stage, minor salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinomas (low-grade [n = 2], intermediate-grade [n = 2], and high-grade [n = 1]) who underwent central, upper labial myomucosal reconstruction using b-BMAFs after cancer ablation. We treated two men and three women aged 25-59 years. Tumors ranged in size from 1.8 x 1.8 to 2.5 x 2.2 cm. Clinical stages were I and II in two and three patients, respectively. Defect dimensions ranged from 2.8 x 2.8 to 3.5 x 3.2 cm. RESULTS: All patients underwent successful reconstruction of central, upper labial myomucosal defects using b-BMAFs and were satisfied with the esthetic results. Adequate orbicularis oris and speech function were maintained. No reduction in mouth opening was observed. Patients were followed up for 24-36 months; one pulmonary metastasis was observed at 36 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Placement of b-BMAFs is safe and feasible when reconstructing central, upper labial myomucosal defects after ablation of early-stage, minor salivary gland cancer.