Aim: The use of myomucosal flaps harvested from the cheek area for intraoral reconstruction has been recently popularized in the literature. Several surgical techniques have been reported and each study has described the outcomes and advantages of each method. This work examines the use of the three most important buccinator myomucosal flaps: the buccinator musculomucosal flap (Bozola flap), the facial artery musculomucosal flap (FAMM flap), and the buccinator musculomucosal island flap (Zhao flap). Here, we clarify the applications of each technique in intraoral reconstruction and discuss the indications for, and advantages and disadvantages of, each flap.

Patients and methods: Forty-six patients underwent surgical resection for malignancies of the oral cavity and reconstructions with cheek flaps were retrospectively considered.

Results: All flaps were harvested and transposed successfully. Complete loss of the flap occurred in only one case. In two cases, marginal necrosis of the flap took place, with complete spontaneous healing in 2 weeks.

Discussion and conclusion: Buccinator musculomucosal flaps are a really good option for reconstruction of moderately sized oral cavity defects. A key point in this procedure is flap selection based on not only the size and site of the defect, but also the patient’s characteristics and type of surgical procedure.

Conflict of interest: None declared.