Introduction:
Oro-cutaneous fistulas pathologically communicate the oral cavity and the skin externally (Chouk, 2023). Oro-cutaneous fistulas can occur due to various aetiologies, including trauma, cancer surgery, and infection. Effective repair is important for restoring function, aesthetics and overall quality of life.
Methods:
A 56 year old patient was diagnosed with a chronic oro-cutaneous fistula secondary to osteo-radionecrosis of the mandible following radiation therapy. The patient developed an oro-cutaneous fistula causing debilitating symptoms. He underwent surgical reconstruction with a supraclavicular flap to repair this defect..
Results:
This case report describes successful repair of the oro-cutaneous fistula. The patient is kept under surveillance in the outpatients department to monitor for recurrence and complications.
Conclusion:
The supraclavicular flap is a valuable option for the repair of oro-cutaneous fistulas. In this case it improved the patient’s quality of life by preventing ongoing leakage of saliva from his oro- cutaneous fistula. Further studies and case series will refine techniques and enhance outcomes in this challenging area of maxillofacial reconstructive surgery.
References:
Chouk, C., & Litaiem, N. (2023). Oral Cutaneous Fistula. Dermatology Therapy, 429–430. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-29668-9_1975