[Transplants from the shoulder-back region].
BACKGROUND
In spacious or multilayered tissue losses and cases of multiple locations of defects, a large amount of tissue with different components such as skin, fatty tissue, and muscle is required for proper reconstruction. A donor area which can meet these demands is the shoulder-back region with the subscapular vessel, which arises from the axillary artery.


METHODS
We report our clinical experience with 12 patients in whom we reconstructed defects with transplants from this region.


RESULTS
Our anatomic investigation and measurements provided proof of a constant anatomy of the vessels with a length of the vascular pedicle and a vascular diameter suitable for microvascular anastomosis. Based on our clinical experience, the scapular, parascapular, and latissmus dorsi muscle transplants are very suitable for the reconstruction of very large superficial defects or for the augmentation of multilayered defects of the upper aerodigestive tract.


CONCLUSIONS
A main advantage of the transplants from the shoulder and back region is the possibility of combining several transplants with a wide variety of tissue combinations with one vascular pedicle for a single-step reconstruction of multiple defects of the oral cavity and the pharynx.
Remmert
S
S
Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Lübeck.
Gehrking
E
E
Meyer
S
S
Sommer
K
K
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D013524:Surgical Flaps