COMPARISON OF FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF PECTORALIS MAJOR MYOCUTANEOUS FLAP AND SUBMENTAL ISLAND FLAP IN PATIENTS OPERATED FOR SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF ORAL CAVITY

Abstract

Objective: To compare the functional outcome of pectoralis major myocutaneous flap and submental island flap in patients operated for squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity

Study design: Quasi experimental trial

Study place and duration: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faryal College of Dentistry Lahore for 6 months from Oct 2024 to March 2025

Methodology: After meeting selection criteria 50 (25 in each group) patients were enrolled. Informed consent and demographic detail was taken. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. In group A, patients under surgery by PMMF technique. In group B, patients underwent surgery by SIF technique. The outcome in terms of success, infection, necrosis and aesthetic outcome was noted in both groups. All the data was collected on pre-designed proforma.

Results: In the PMMF group, the mean age of patients was 41.16 ± 11.86 years, while in the SIF group it was 39.76 ± 13.98 years (p = 0.704). In the PMMF group, all 25 patients (100%) achieved successful outcomes, whereas in the SIF group, success was attained in 18 patients (72%), showing a statistically significant difference (p = 0.004). An excellent aesthetic outcome was achieved in 11 patients (44%) in the PMMF group, compared to 5 patients (20%) in the SIF group, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Pectoralis major myocutaneous flap appears to be a more effective option for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, demonstrating better outcomes compared to the submental island flap group