title: The serratus anterior free tissue transfer for craniofacial reconstruction.
abstract: The serratus anterior muscle was used as a free tissue transfer to reconstruct complex craniofacial defects in 5 patients. Serratus anterior muscle alone and serratus anterior muscle with rib were the transfers made. All flaps survived and scapular winging did not occur. The serratus anterior muscle has several advantages for the reconstruction of medium-sized craniofacial defects. Because of its position, a two-team approach is possible. It has a consistent pedicle anatomy and low donor site morbidity. It has a large caliber vessel and a long pedicle. When compared with the commonly employed rectus abdominis flap for moderate-sized defects, the serratus muscle offers greater versatility in design and has the option of incorporating bone and innervated muscle without increasing significant donor site morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical School, Baltimore, MD.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Angel
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bridges
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Cantrell
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Persing
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007366:Intercostal Muscles / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D008297:Male; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009060:Mouth Floor / Q000601:surgery; D010255:Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D012886:Skull / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000601:surgery