Vaira, Luigi AngeloNavarro Cuéllar, IgnacioNavarro Cuéllar, CarlosDe Riu, Giacomo2026-03-232026-03-232026-02-02L. A.Vaira, O.Massarelli, J.Polesel, et al., “Oncologic Safety of Facial-Vessel–Based Buccinator Myomucosal Flaps for Tongue and Oral Floor Reconstruction: A Retrospective Multicenter Case–Control Study,” Head & Neck48, no. 3 (2026): 827–836, https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.70082.1043-307410.1002/hed.70082https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/134196Background: Buccinator myomucosal flaps (BMFs) have been proposed as a reconstructive solution for defects of the tongue and oral floor; however, their harvest requires preservation of the facial artery and vein. This study aimed to evaluate the oncologic safety of this approach compared with free fasciocutaneous flaps (FFF). Methods: A retrospective multicenter case-control study including cT1-T3 cN0 tongue/oral floor squamous cell carcinoma was performed. Cases received BMFs while controls received FFFs. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) tested for non-inferiority. Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and cumulative incidence of local, regional, and distant recurrence using competing-risk methods. Results: A total of 615 patients (BMF n = 390; FFF n = 225) with comparable baselines were included. Five-year PFS was 69.8% (BMF) versus 66.2% (FFF); adjusted HR (FFF vs. BMF) 0.87 (95% CI: 0.43-1.78), meeting non-inferiority. Five-year OS was 77.9% versus 73.5%. Cumulative incidence of recurrence was similar: local 7.5% versus 8.3%, regional 6.3% versus 6.1%, and distant 2.1% versus 1.7%. Conclusions: Preservation of the facial artery and vein during selective neck dissection did not compromise oncologic outcomes. Facial-vessel-based BMFs are a valid option for small-to-medium tongue/oral floor defects in appropriately selected cN0 patients when meticulous level I clearance is performed and a pull-through resection is not required.engAttribution 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/journal article1097-0347https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.70082Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hed.70082open access616-006.04617buccinator myomucosal flapfacial artery musculomucosal flaponcologic safetyoral floor reconstructionsquamous cell carcinomatongue reconstructionCiencias Biomédicas32 Ciencias Médicas