Reconstruction of oral mucosal defects with regenerative dermal matrix after T1-T2 squamocellular carcinoma resection.

Objective: Resection of tumors of oral cavity usually causes short- or long-term sequelae such as chewing, speech and swallowing impairment. To preserve this function it is necessary to maintain the lining of the oral cavity, the mobility and sensitivity of the tongue. Reconstructive options for oral mucosal defects resulting from tumor resection included primary closure, mucosal and skin grafts, pedicle and microvascular free flaps, and dermal matrix.

Study Design: Retrospective study on patients undergoing reconstruction of intraoral defects, after removal of T1, T2 malignant tumors, by placement of bilayer dermal matrix.

Methods: From 2021 to 2022, 47 patients with oral mucosa defects after removal of squamous cell carcinoma were treated. All patients were affected by a T1-T2 squamous cell carcinoma. For each patient, data were collected regarding the site of the disease, the initial staging, the size of the surgical defect, the complications and the outcome months after the operation.

Results: In all treated cases the surgical defect involved the mucosa of the cheek, the oral floor or the tongue with an average size of 5.45cm. Patients who underwent this type of reconstruction benefited from excellent healing of intraoral wounds and good restoration of oral function 6 months after surgery. Out of the total number of patients, membrane attachment failure was reported in only two cases.

Conclusion: As emerges from the data reported in our study, the dermal matrix represents a valid alternative in oncological reconstructive surgery for small/medium-sized intraoral mucosal defects because it allows re-epithelialization of the wound.