[The use of the platysma myocutaneous flap for reconstruction in the head-neck area -- a retrospective study].
OBJECTIVE
Following extended tumor resections in the head-neck area options immediate defect reconstruction is needed to reduce healing time and improve rehabilitation. Reconstruction of significant areas of mucosal defects is best accomplished by introduction of a pliable regional transplant. The platysma myocutaneous flap has been used for defect reconstruction in head and neck area since more than 20 years. Its popularity is limited. Since 2001 in our department the platysma mucocutaneous flap is used for such reconstructions. We present a retrospective study evaluating our experience with the platysma myocutaneous flap.


METHODS
From 2001-2003 25 patients have been subjected to surgical reconstruction applying the platysma mucocutaneous flap. The primary tumor was located in 16 patients (64 %) in the oropharynx, in 5 patients (20 %) in the hypopharynx and in 4 patients (16 %) in the oral cavity. Evaluation was based on medical records including the operative reports. All patients get a follow up in our outpatient clinic.


RESULTS
The platysma flap is easy to harvest and has a low general risk level. Complications are minor and may be avoided by exact preoperative planning. Necrosis of the skin-muscle-flap was observed only after resection of the A. carotis externa (two cases). In these 2 cases an operative revision was necessary (stenting of the pharynx or secondary reconstruction by pectoralis major-flap). The resection of the A. facialis (three cases) did not lead to a serious complication.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering the exact indication the platysma flap is suitable for reconstruction of surface defects in the pharynx and oral cavity. A special attention is given to the ipsilateral vascular supply and the length of the muscular pedicel. It proved to be a cost effective method due to the less time and personal expenditure.
Grützenmacher
S
S
Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde der Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald. gruetzen@uni-greifswald.de
Steinmeier
E
E
Hosemann
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002342:Carotid Artery, External / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D037981:Neck Dissection; D009336:Necrosis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015607:Stents; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology