The pectoralis major myofascial flap: clinical applications in head and neck reconstruction.
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.
Righi
P D
PD
Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, USA.
Weisberger
E C
EC
Slakes
S R
SR
Wilson
J L
JL
Kesler
K A
KA
Yaw
P B
PB
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