Oncological Safety of the Submental Artery Island Flap for Oral Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Submental artery island flap is a pedicled regional flap which is used as one of the quicker reconstructive options for oral cavity defects. However, concerns about its oncological safety have been raised due to the proximity of the submental lymph nodes, which may harbor metastatic deposits. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the oncological safety of the SAIF oral cavity reconstruction. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the PICO model. Studies were included if they assessed the oncological safety of the SAIF in oral cavity reconstruction. Results: The use of SAIF for oral cavity reconstruction appears to provide reasonable oncological safety in terms of locoregional recurrence. The overall pooled recurrence rate across the studies was 16% (95% CI: 14%–18%). Conclusion: This systematic review demonstrates that the submental artery island flap is an oncologically safe and reliable reconstructive option for oral cavity defects following OSCC resection in carefully selected patients.