title: "Boomerang" rectus abdominis musculocutaneous free flap in head and neck reconstruction.
abstract: Immediate head and neck reconstruction after cancer resection using the "boomerang" rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (RAM) free flap was performed in 13 patients over the past 2 years. The skin paddle of the flap is designed as a boomerang shape based on the anatomical construction of the dominant perforators from the inferior epigastric vascular system. A versatile technique of the boomerang RAM flap provides effective use for reconstruction of the complex defects at the skull base, orbital, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, oropharynx, palate, buccal mucosa, tongue, floor of mouth, and neck. It also allows a reconstructive surgical team to elevate the flap simultaneously with a head and neck surgical team before the size and location of the defect are exactly determined and greatly reduces operating time. This flap will be a routine technique for immediate head and neck reconstruction after cancer resection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nohira
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Minakawa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sugihara
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shintomi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamashita
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hosokawa
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohura
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D002610:Cheek; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008444:Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery