Reconstruction of Surgical Defects of the Oral Cavity with Bilayer Dermal Matrix: Our Experience

Purpose: Reconstructive options for mucosal defects of the oral cavity resulting from the resection of tumors include primary closure, mucosal and split thickness skin grafts, pedicle flaps, and microvascular free flaps. Lately the use of an acellular dermal bilayer matrix has been introduced for the reconstruction of superficial mucosal defects of the oral cavity. Methods: Twenty-one patients treated for SCC of the oral cavity with intraoral resection and simultaneous reconstruction using a bilayer dermal matrix between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2024 with at least 6 months of follow-up were retrospectively considered. Data were collected regarding the site of the lesion, the initial TNM staging, the size of the surgical defect, the timing of silicone sheet removal, the complications and the long-term outcomes. Results: Tumor site included the tongue in 16 cases, the hard palate in 1 case, the cheek in 2 cases, the floor of the mouth in 1 patient, and the inferior lip in 1 patient. Re-epithelialization was achieved in all cases within 21 days. No major complication was observed. Conclusions: Bilayer dermal matrix demonstrated to be an excellent option for small and superficial oral cavity reconstruction if proper indications are followed.