Maxillary artery based flaps for oral cavity reconstruction, a review

BACKGROUND There are different flaps based on the branches of the maxillary artery. Flaps based on the maxillary artery branches can be used for oral cavity reconstruction in selected cases, but there is lack of comprehensive review in this topic. METHODS A literature review was performed on Medline for maxillary artery based flaps and oral cavity reconstruction. Surgical techniques for each possible variant of maxillary artery based flaps and an example of each situation for oral cavity reconstruction is explained. RESULT Five variants of soft tissue flaps based on maxillary artery branches are presented. Some of them such as temporal flap, superiorly based masseter flap, palatal flap and posteriorly based buccinator myomucosal flap are famous flaps, while posteriorly based inferior turbinate flap is less noticed for oral cavity reconstruction. Nasoseptal and infraorbital based flaps are two other maxillary artery based flaps but have no role in oral cavity reconstruction. CONCLUSION Maxillary artery based flaps should be considered as an option especially in previously radiotherapy/surgically operated patients with facial vessels sacrifice.