Home›ENT (Otolaryngology)› Submental Artery Island Flap Shows 16% Pooled Locoregional Recurrence in Oral Cavity Reconstruction
Submental Artery Island Flap Shows 16% Pooled Locoregional Recurrence in Oral Cavity ReconstructionSubmental artery island flap is a safe option for oral cancer
Head & neckPublished September 12, 2026Study authors: Taseen Shafaq, Qureshi Muhammad Fazal Hussain, Abbas Munib, Ghaloo Shayan K, Wasif Muhammad, Iftikha…PubMed ↗DOI ↗Editorial oversight: Dr. Lars van Dijk, PhD · Surgical, Procedural & Diagnostic
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Key Takeaway
Interpret the 16% pooled recurrence rate cautiously; comparative data are lacking.
This meta-analysis examined the submental artery island flap (SAIF) as a reconstructive option for oral cavity defects following resection of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The primary outcome was oncological safety, assessed by locoregional recurrence.
The pooled overall locoregional recurrence rate was 16% (95% CI: 14%-18%). The authors conclude that SAIF is an oncologically safe and reliable reconstructive option for oral cavity defects in carefully selected patients.
Several important details were not reported, including the comparator, follow-up duration, sample size, and adverse events. The certainty of the evidence was also not reported. The conclusion that SAIF is safe is based on the pooled recurrence rate of 16%, and the analysis did not include a comparison group.
In practice, these findings suggest that SAIF may be considered for reconstruction in selected patients with oral cavity defects after OSCC resection, but the absence of comparative data and long-term follow-up limits the strength of the safety conclusion. Clinicians should interpret the 16% recurrence rate in the context of their own patient selection and institutional outcomes.
How this fits prior evidence
This meta-analysis provides pooled recurrence data for SAIF in OSCC reconstruction, a topic not covered in prior evidence summaries. Prior coverage has focused on prognostic factors and diagnostic tools in OSCC, including perineural invasion as a predictor of poor survival and increased local recurrence, AI-based MRI for lymph node metastasis detection, and elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a marker of poorer survival. The current findings do not directly confirm or contrast with these prior items, as they address a surgical reconstructive technique rather than prognostic or diagnostic markers. No prior coverage addressed SAIF outcomes.
When patients undergo surgery for oral squamous cell carcinoma, they often face significant defects in their oral cavity. Surgeons must choose reconstruction methods that are both effective and safe, meaning they do not increase the risk of the cancer returning in the same area.
A review of data shows that the submental artery island flap (SAIF) is a reliable choice for these patients. The study found a pooled recurrence rate of 16 percent for those who received this specific reconstruction. This suggests the technique is oncologically safe for carefully selected patients.
While the results are encouraging, it is important to remember that this finding is based on a pooled rate of 16 percent. Because the study is a meta-analysis, the results represent a combined look at data rather than a single trial. Patients should talk to their doctors to see if this specific reconstruction is right for their unique needs.
What this means for you:
The submental artery island flap is a reliable and safe reconstruction option for oral cavity defects.
Common questions
Is the submental artery island flap safe for oral cancer patients?
Yes, the submental artery island flap is described as an oncologically safe and reliable reconstruction option. For patients with oral cavity defects following oral squamous cell carcinoma resection, the pooled recurrence rate for this procedure was 16 percent. This suggests it is a reliable choice for patients who are carefully selected by their surgical team.
What is the recurrence rate for this surgical technique?
The study found an overall pooled recurrence rate of 16 percent for patients who underwent the submental artery island flap. This rate helps doctors understand the oncological safety of the procedure when reconstructing defects in the oral cavity after cancer treatment.
BACKGROUND: Submental artery island flap is a pedicled regional flap which is used as one of the quicker reconstructive options for oral cavity defects. However, concerns about its oncological safety have been raised due to the proximity of the submental lymph nodes, which may harbor metastatic deposits. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the oncological safety of the SAIF oral cavity reconstruction.
METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the PICO model. Studies were included if they assessed the oncological safety of the SAIF in oral cavity reconstruction.
RESULTS: The use of SAIF for oral cavity reconstruction appears to provide reasonable oncological safety in terms of locoregional recurrence. The overall pooled recurrence rate across the studies was 16% (95% CI: 14%-18%).
CONCLUSION: This systematic review demonstrates that the submental artery island flap is an oncologically safe and reliable reconstructive option for oral cavity defects following OSCC resection in carefully selected patients.
