Surgical Approach to the Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer; Visor Flap Approach

Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology 1999;15(2):226-231.
Published online November 30, 1999.

Eun Chang Choi;Yoon Suk Choi;Dong Young Kim

구강 및 구인두암의 수술적 접근방법 면갑피판(Visor Flap)의 임상적 평가

최은창;최윤석;김동영

Abstract

Objectives: Visor flap is one of the useful surgical approach to the oral cavity cancer, but the report on its specific indications, advantages and disadvantages is lacking. Material and Methods: Seven patients treated with visor flap for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer were reviewed. Result: Visor flap provided excellent visual field to anterior oral cavity without splitting the lip and chin skin. Postoperative cosmesis was satisfactory. One complication associating with this flap was salivary leak through gingivo-labial and gingivo-buccal suture which was successfully repaired.
Conclusion
Visor flap is an excellent approach on extirpation of the oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer in case of combining with segmental mandibulectomy. Especially it was useful for the approach to the anterior floor of the mouth and oral tongue lesion. But, it has no actual advantage over the other approaches in cases without mandibulectomy.

Key Words: Surgical approach, Oral cavity cancer, Mandibulectomy, Visor flap