title: [Contribution of the musculocutaneous flap of pectoralis major in head and neck oncology: 26 observations in Senegal].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap constitutes a significant advance in cervicofacial carcinology. At our institution, it has allowed most surgical problems to be resolved in a single-stage procedure. The objective of this study was to report our experience with this flap.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study includes 26 cases observed over a 10-year period (January 1994-December 2003). The parameters studied were clinical and paraclinical. All patients included in this study received a pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap. Patients treated using another type of flap were not included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean patient age was 51 years (range, 20 to 74). The sex ratio was 12 (24 men and 2 women). At the time of admission, 73% of patients showed marked impairment of general condition. In 21 patients (81%), the effect of the pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap was observed immediately after surgery unlike pharyngostome (19%) in which the flap is used in a second stage procedure. With a mean follow-up of 7 years, failure has been observed in 4 cases (15%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap is an excellent tool for cervicofacial reconstruction after carcinological exeresis. It reduces the duration of hospitalization. Acquiring proper flap harvesting technique is an important factor in improving outcome.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Oto-rhino-laryngologie et Chirurgie Cervico-faciale de l'hôpital National Ignace DEEN, Sénégal. dalphao@hotmail.com
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Diallo
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Diallo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ndiaye
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tall
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Ndiaye
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Diouf
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dia
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Diop
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000637:transplantation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012675:Senegal; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D055815:Young Adult