Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of nasolabial (NL) flap as a grafting technique in the management of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF).

Patients and Methods: A prospective randomized study was conducted including 10 patients who were treated surgically for OSMF. Patients with the chief complaint of long standing difficulty in mouth opening (less than 20mm), pain in relation with the third molars or any non-malignant growth associated with that region were included.

Results: This prospective study was carried out to evaluate the use of NL flap as a grafting technique in OSMF cases and observe the surgical outcome in terms of post-surgical mouth opening.1 week post- operative mouth opening ranged from 25mm to 45mm with a mean of 36 mm. However, 15 days, 1 month and 3 months post-operative mouth opening was 32, 34, and 36 mm respectively. Finally the 12 months follow up showed a range from 22 mm to 44 mm with a mean of 34 mm.

Conclusion: Cessation of habits, vigorous mouth opening exercises and improvement in nutritional statusis must for better results post-operatively. All the patients showed sustained mouth opening, satisfactory epithelialization, and minimum wound contracture. The NL flap has proven to be a useful and reliable treatment modality.