title: Oropharyngeal reconstruction using the supraclavicular artery island flap:  a new flap alternative.
abstract: Oropharyngeal reconstruction following head and neck oncologic resection has utilized local, regional, and free tissue transfer flap options. The modality utilized is often guided by the type of defect created as well as the surgeon's preference. In this article, the authors introduce the application of the supraclavicular artery island flap as a reconstructive modality following oropharyngeal oncologic ablation. Five patients underwent head and neck oncologic resection for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma followed by single-stage reconstruction with an ipsilateral supraclavicular artery island flap. There were no flap failures and only one postoperative complication consisting of a postoperative oral-cutaneous fistula that resolved without surgical intervention. There were no donor-site complications. The supraclavicular artery island flap is a viable alternative for oropharyngeal reconstruction following head and neck oncologic resection. It is a regional flap that can be harvested without microsurgical expertise and yields reliable postoperative results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic, IV.
authors.affiliation: New Orleans, La. From the Departments of Otolaryngology and Plastic Surgery, Tulane University.
authors.forename: Akash G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Anand
authors.forename: Eliza J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Christian P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Hasney
authors.forename: Paul L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Friedlander
authors.forename: Ernest S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Chiu
mesh_terms: D001158:Arteries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*