title: Salvage for pectoralis major myocutaneous flap failure in head and neck reconstruction by microvascular flap.
abstract: The pectoralis major myocutaneous pedicled flap (PMMPF) - the "workhorse" for head and neck reconstruction - is associated with a high incidence of complications in certain cases. This study presents free tissue transfer as an alternative salvage technique after PMMPF failure in head and neck reconstruction. It includes seven consecutive patients who underwent free tissue salvage after PMMPF failure in head and neck reconstruction from January 2008 to September 2010 at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Taiwan. Four vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flaps were applied for tongue and mouth floor defects, while three anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps were used for mouth floor, buccal, and cheek defects. All flaps survived uneventfully, and normal oral feeding was achieved without major complications. Free tissue transfer has several advantages and can be successfully employed in head and neck reconstruction, and it is also a reliable salvage procedure after PMMPF failure in such cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chen-Ling
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Yi-Chia
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ching-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Chung-Sheng
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Chih-Lung
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Sin-Daw
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Kao-Ping
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000009:adverse effects