The Feasibility and Outcome of Integra® Bilayer Matrix in the Reconstruction of Oral Cavity Defects

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and failure rate of Integra® Bilayer Wound Matrix (Integra) in the reconstruction of oral cavity defects. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: All study information was collected from a single academic tertiary care hospital. Methods: Subjects included adult patients who underwent oral cavity resection and immediate subsequent reconstruction with Integra® Bilayer Wound Matrix at MD Anderson Cancer Center between the years 2015 and 2020. The following variables were collected: patient's demographics, comorbidities, disease stage, treatment and reconstruction modalities, and surgical outcome from the medical records. Statistical analysis included distribution analysis for all collected parameters and Pearson's χ2 tests to find correlation between variables and take rate of Integra. Results: Eighty-three patients underwent reconstruction with Integra® Bilayer Wound Matrix dressing. Average age was 66 years old. Thirty-nine patients (47%) had history of previous resections for oral cavity tumors. Fourteen patients (17%) had history of radiation therapy to the Head and Neck region. Most common pathology was invasive squamous cell carcinoma (75%) followed by dysplasia (12%). Complete wound healing with good cellular integration occurred in 83 patients (96%) with only 3 failures requiring additional surgery. Reconstruction of mandibulectomy defects was associated with increased risk of dehiscence and bone exposure (0.66, P =.03). Conclusion: This study shows promising results with high take rate of Integra® Bilayer Wound Matrix dressing in the reconstruction of various oral cavity defects. We encourage surgeons to adopt this technique as a viable and versatile option into the reconstruction ladder of oral cavity defects.