A new method for intraoral tissue defect repair:diepithelialized tissue flap with vascular anastomosis

Diepithelialized tissue flap(DTF)with vascular anastomosis was de-signed in August 1987,and was used for the repair of 12 cases of large intraoraltissue defect.All the operations were successful.The clinical data were reportedand the procedure to incise and transplant a DTF described.When the healingprocess and changes of DTF after transplantation were observed,it was foundthat a layer of new smooth epidermis was formed on the surface of the DTF.Theorigin of this new epidermis was discussed.Ten out of the 12 cases have been fol-lowed up for from half a year to 2 and a half years,and the results weresatisfactory.The new epidermis showed no hair growth and the patients did nothave any rough feeling,which usually occurred after ordinary skin grafting.It isbelieved that DTF transplantation is likely an ideal method for the repair andreconstruction of intraoral soft tissue defect.Its disadvantage was that the DTFcontracted severely after healing.Finally the authors put forward the problemsconcerning the transplantation of DTF,which should be investigated further.