The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap in oral and maxillofacial reconstruction: a retrospective analysis of 50 cases.
OBJECTIVE
This article retrospectively reviews 50 consecutive pectoralis major flaps used in oral and maxillofacial reconstruction with respect to reliability and complications.


METHODS
Fifty patients had reconstruction of postcancer resection defects of the oral cavity and maxillofacial region. The age and sex of the patients and site of defect were analyzed. The design of the pectoralis major flap and complications encountered were documented.


RESULTS
There were three cases (6%) of flap failure and an additional three cases (6%) in which 40% or more of the skin paddle sloughed. Orocutaneous fistula was rare. The use of an osteomyocutaneous flap with a rib gave poor results for mandibular reconstruction.


CONCLUSIONS
The pectoralis major flap is reliable, and the complications seen in this series were comparable to other large series in the literature. Despite the increased use of microvascular flaps, the pectoralis major flap remains an excellent reconstructive choice for large soft tissue defects in the oral cavity.
Ord
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Department of Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Maryland Cancer Center, Baltimore, USA.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000601:surgery*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation / Q000379:methods*; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome