[The facial artery-buccinator musculo-mucosal flap for reconstruction of the palate].

Since may 1999, 5 facial artery musculo-mucosal (FAMM) flaps have been used for mucosal reconstruction of the top of the mouth. The FAMM flap, first described by Pribaz in 1993 is a modification of the naso-labial cutaneous flap. The flap can be inferiorly based on the facial vessels (orthograde flow) or superiorly based (retrograde flow). It can easily reconstruct palate, alveolus and soft palate defects. The are of rotation has its pivot point inferiorly at the retromolar trigone, superiorly at the gingival labial sulcus. The FAMM flap has been used for 2 palatal fistula after facial blast injuries and 1 secondary cleft palate surgery. For the cleft palate surgery an Lefort 1 osteotomy with iliac crest graft was associated. All the flap but one survive with primary healing. One partial necrosis was noted but spontaneously healed secondarily. The FAMM flap is a reliable flap for mucosal reconstructions of the top of the mouth. The flap dissection is easy and the donor site morbidity is low.