Submandibular Gland Flap Reconstruction for Oropharyngeal Defects After Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS)

ABSTRACT Background To describe utilization and outcomes of submandibular gland flap (SGF) reconstruction after transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Methods A multi‐institutional retrospective case series of patients who underwent TORS for OPSCC followed by SGF reconstruction with harvest via transcervical approach from 1/1/2016 to 4/1/2023. Results In total, 14 patients underwent SGF reconstruction after TORS for OPSCC. All patients had HPV‐positive disease, predominantly in early local ( N = 10 with pT1/pT2 disease, 71%) and regional stages ( N = 11 with pN0/pN1 disease, 79%). Most patients received adjuvant radiation treatment ( N = 9, 64%). Median hospital LOS after surgery was 4 days (IQR 2 days) with median functional oral intake scale (FOIS) score of 5 (IQR 0.8) at 1–3 weeks after surgery. Conclusions SGF reconstruction is a useful technique for closure of appropriately selected TORS defects requiring reconstruction beyond healing by secondary intention and mobilization of adjacent tissue but not large enough to warrant free flap reconstruction.