title: Reconstruction of complex posterior cervical spine wounds using the paraspinous muscle flap.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The paraspinous muscle flap is often overlooked for use in cervical wounds, as surgeons cite the decreased size and mobility of the muscles in the cervical region. The purpose of this article is to introduce the paraspinous muscle flap technique for reconstruction of cervical spine wounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  An 11-year, single-institution, retrospective chart review was performed on 14 consecutive patients from 1996 to 2007. All patients underwent paraspinous muscle flap surgery to provide soft-tissue coverage of the cervical spine following wound healing complications resulting in exposed hardware or bone. Variables of interest included demographics, comorbidities, and postreconstruction wound healing complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall complication rate after paraspinous muscle flap surgery was low [two of 14 (14 percent)] and consisted of two minor wound infections. There was no postreconstruction seroma, a well-known complication of the trapezius muscle flap, which is often thought of as the first-line option for posterior cervical soft-tissue reconstruction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The paraspinous muscle flap is an expeditious and reliable solution to complex cervical spine wounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic, IV.(Figure is included in full-text article.).
authors.affiliation: Charlottesville, Va.; and Philadelphia, Pa. From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, and the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
authors.forename: Alexander F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Mericli
authors.forename: Michael N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Mirzabeigi
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: Steven E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Copit
authors.forename: Gary A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Tuma
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D058106:Wound Closure Techniques