title: Is the deltopectoral flap born again? Role in postburn head and neck reconstruction.
abstract: After extensive use for head and neck reconstruction, the deltopectoral flap has been supplanted by alternative methods of reconstruction and relegated to historical references. However, it remains a very valuable skin flap and should keep its place in the armamentarium of reconstructive surgeons for postburn head and neck reconstruction. We report here five cases of head and neck reconstruction using the deltopectoral flap: one case of perioral reconstruction after ballistic trauma, one case of nasal reconstruction after burn and three cases of neck reconstruction after burn contracture. Technical simplicity and reliability are the main features of this flap. The skin paddle is thin and pliable, and its surface can be extended after a flap delay. Previous tissue expansion can minimize donor site morbidity. The flap division necessitates a second surgical procedure. The major burn contractures of the neck are, in our opinion, an excellent indication of the deltopectoral flap.
authors.affiliation: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department, Military Hospital Percy, 101 Avenue Henri Barbusse, Clamart, France. eric.bey@neuf.fr
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bey
authors.forename: Aurélie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hautier
authors.forename: Jean-Philippe
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Pradier
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Duhamel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000601:surgery*; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic; D003286:Contracture / Q000601:surgery*; D004954:Esthetics; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000637:transplantation*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting; D055815:Young Adult