Retrospective Study of 13 Cases of Soft Tissue Defects after Oral Cancer Resection Repaired with Superficial Branch of Superficial Circumflex Iliac Artery Flap

doi:10.13701/j.cnki.kqyxyj.2025.08.008

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To explore the clinical application value of the superficial branch of superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA) flap by reviewing the clinical data of 13 patients with oral cancer. Methods: In 13 patients, the superficial branch of the SCIA flap, which only supplied and dissected the superficial branch of the SCIA, was used to reconstruct the defect after radical surgery of oral cancer. Patients were followed up for 3-6 months to complete the evaluation of the repair effect. Results: The superficial branch of the SCIA was found in all 13 patients. In each patient, the superficial branch of the SCIA flap was successfully prepared by only dissecting the superficial branch of the SCIA. The average area of the dissected flaps was (38.00±8.48) cm², and the average length of the pedicle was (6.70±0.71) cm. Twelve patients had successful outcome with satisfactory form of the flap and good recovery of functions such as phonetic and eating functions. One patient failed due to vascular thrombosis and was replaced with left radial forearm free flap. Then, the skin paddle of the superficial branch of the SCIA flap was fixed into a full-thickness skin graft to repair the defect in the forearm area. The wounds in the iliac region were directly sutured and achieved primary healing with a hidden scar in all patients. Conclusion: The superficial branch of the SCIA flap has a simple preparation process and can meet the general requirements for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects after oral cancer radical surgery. The flap only leaves a hidden scar in the iliac region and has low donor site morbidity. It is worthy of clinical popularization.

Key words: the superficial branch of the SCIA flap, the superficial branch of SCIA, reconstruction

CHEN Xin, SUN Yawei, HAN Shengwei, LIANG Yi, PU Yumei, HUANG Haohao, SUN Guowen. Retrospective Study of 13 Cases of Soft Tissue Defects after Oral Cancer Resection Repaired with Superficial Branch of Superficial Circumflex Iliac Artery Flap[J]. Journal of Oral Science Research, 2025, 41(8): 685-689.

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