The Submental Island Flap (SIF) is a relatively new technique for reconstruction of defects resulting from resection of oral and oropharyngeal malignancies. This is a series of three patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral and oropharyngeal regions. All cases were diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma. The locations of the primary tumor of each case were as follows: right floor of the mouth, extending to the ipsilateral tongue base (Stage III (T2N1Mx)), middle third of the right anterior tongue (Stage IVA (T3N2bMx), and lateral aspect of the left anterior two-thirds of tongue (Stage III (T3N1Mx)). While previous studies recommended its use for node-negative tumors, this series utilized the flap in patients with advanced nodal disease status (N1 or higher), provided it did not compromise the flap design or margins of tumor resection. The patients tolerated the procedure well. As of writing, all patients presented with a viable flap, satisfactory healing of the donor site, and no evidence of disease recurrence in the post operative site. With proper patient selection, the SIF may prove to be a reliable option in cases of reconstruction of surgical defects in oral and oropharyngeal carcinomas, offering significantly less morbidity on the part of the patients. Since the flap was employed in patients with advanced nodal disease, the authors recommend close follow-up of the patients included in this series for early detection of possible tumor recurrence.

Ariele Laudencia is a graduate Doctor of Medicine at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Philippines. She is a Medical Officer III, and resident-in-training of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery at Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center.