Abstract: PURPOSE: The present study assessed the reliability of the reverse facial artery-submental artery deepithelialised submental island flap to reconstruct maxillary defects. METHODS: This study included 13 patients (9 men and 4 women; 43-62 years old) with maxillary defects resulting from cancer ablation. Ten patients presented with maxillary gingival squamous cell carcinoma and the remaining 3 cases hard palatal squamous cell carcinomas.The maxilla was resected and the defects were classified as Class 2a. Reverse facial artery submental artery deepithelialised submental island flaps measuring 8-10 cm in length and 4-5 cm in width were used to reconstruct the defects. RESULTS: Twelve of the 13 flaps survived and the success rate was 92.3%. No donor site problems or palsy of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve occurred. The follow up period ranged from 8 to 24 months, one patient died as a result of local tumour recurrence and two patients developed cervical lymph mode metastasis. CONCLUSION: The reverse facial artery submental artery deepithelialised submental island flap is safe, quick and simple to use or elevate. The flap is reliable for reconstructing maxillary defects following cancer ablation.

Key words: Submental artery island flap, Deepithelialised submental flap, Facial artery, Submental artery, Maxillary defect