[Pedicled galeal flap in the reconstruction of head and neck tumor defects].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the advantage and applications of pedicled galeal flap in head and neck region.


METHODS
A consecutive series of 17 patients underwent surgical reconstruction with pedicled galeal flaps after head and neck tumor resection. The defects included nasopharynx, skull base, maxilla, orbital base, oropharynx and oral cavity and the size ranged from 5 cm x 5 cm to 10 cm x 10 cm. The technique for using this flap was described and application was illustrated with 3 case reports.


RESULTS
Complete success of galeal flaps for the reconstruction of head and neck defects was achieved in 13 of the 17 cases (76.5%) and partial necrosis was observed in the remaining 4 cases (23.4%). Immediate wound complications occurred in four cases, which resolved spontaneously. Four delayed complications were observed in 4 of 9 survival cases that included trismus (3) and alopecia (1).


CONCLUSIONS
Galeal flap is a thin, pliable and well vascularised reconstruction tissue and is highly reliable. The donor site morbidity is minor. We have found the flap to be useful in the reconstruction of a variety of defects in head and neck, especially in skull base, orbital base, nasopharynx and oropharynx.
Zhang
B
B
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China. binzhang@public.bta.net.cn
Tang
P
P
Qi
Y
Y
Xu
Z
Z
Wu
Y
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*