title: The pectoralis major myofascial flap: clinical applications in head and neck reconstruction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The pectoralis major myofascial (PMMF) flap, a simple variant of the pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC) flap, has been underemphasized as a reconstructive method in head and neck surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, we review our experience using 18 PMMF flaps for a variety of reconstructive purposes in 15 head and neck cancer patients treated at a tertiary care hospital. Twelve of the study patients were undergoing surgical salvage of a recurrent cancer, and 10 had received previous radiation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall rate of flap complications in our series was 22%, and the incidence of major flap complications requiring surgical revision was 11%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our experience, the use of the PMMF flap for a variety of reconstructive tasks in the head and neck has been associated with a high overall success rate with avoidance of some of the limitations of the PMMC flap.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, USA.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Righi
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Weisberger
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Slakes
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kesler
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Yaw
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012086:Reoperation; D013524:Surgical Flaps