Clavipectoral osteomyocutaneous free flap in oromandibular reconstruction.
BACKGROUND
Mandibular reconstruction continues to challenge most head and neck reconstructive surgeons despite the tremendous advances in surgical and fixation techniques. We recently described the clavipectoral osteocutaneous flap for mandibular reconstruction. This flap encompasses the clavicle and the clavicular head of the pectoralis major with overlying skin.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article is to report our prospective clinical experience with the use of clavipectoral osteocutaneous flap in the reconstruction of oromandibular defects.


METHODS
Prospective case series.


METHODS
Five patients with significant mandibular defects underwent reconstruction using the newly described clavipectoral flap. All patients had shoulder range of motion testing preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Panorex and bone scans were obtained on the seventh postoperative day.


RESULTS
All five flaps survived. The transferred clavicles demonstrated good vascularity on the postoperative bone scans. The shoulder morbidity was minimal, with all patients resuming their preoperative level of activity.


CONCLUSIONS
The clavipectoral flap has bone and soft tissue components that are especially suited for composite mandibular defects, but it should be used as a second-line flap owing to the short pedicle and the regular need for vein grafts.
Seikaly
Hadi
H
Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. hseikaly@shaw.ca <hseikaly@shaw.ca>
Moshaver
Ali
A
Chau
Jason
J
Harris
Jeffrey R
JR
Calhoun
Karen H
KH
D000328:Adult; D002610:Cheek; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009060:Mouth Floor / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000293:injuries; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot