Use of Bilateral Nasolabial Flaps with Coronoidectomy as a Novel Approach to a Case of Oral Cancer with Severe Trismus

Patients with oral malignancy often have associated trismus. Trismus is a debilitating condition that needs to be treated adequately with the release of fibrosis and interposition of vascularized tissue to provide long-term improvement in the mouth opening. Treatment of oral cancer in patients with severe trismus becomes challenging because of difficult access and further deterioration of mouth opening following treatment of the malignancy. Herein, the planning of access to oral cancer and management of trismus in 9 oral cancer patients with severe trismus using nasolabial flaps and coronoidectomy are described. Bilateral nasolabial flaps and coronoidectomy were used successfully as an approach in these 9 patients with oral carcinoma with severe trismus. The advantages of this procedure are described.

Keywords: Coronoidectomy; Nasolabial flap; Trismus.