Outcomes of pectoralis major myocutaneous flap in female patients for oral cavity defect reconstruction.
OBJECTIVE
Although much has been mentioned in the literature worldwide regarding the outcome of pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps (PMMFs), hardly any studies are available that mention the outcome of PMMFs in female patients. It has been presumed that complication rates after PMMF reconstruction in female patients are higher because of the presence of more adipose tissue in the flap. The objective of this study was to analyze our data regarding the outcomes of PMMFs in female patients with oral cancer undergoing reconstruction after tumor ablation.


METHODS
In this retrospective study from January 2008 to May 2012, performed in a single institution in south India, we have analyzed our data on PMMFs in 140 female patients with oral cancer. The operative technique used was essentially the same as that described originally by Ariyan. However, to preserve the deltopectoral flap area, the incision was appropriately modified in a manner as described by Schuller.


RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 52.36 years, with a range from 30 to 76 years. They presented mostly with ulcers or ulceroproliferative lesions. Most of the patients had a history of tobacco and betel nut chewing. All of them underwent composite resection and reconstruction with PMMF under general anesthesia. Of the patients, 30 (21.4%) had complications, comprising infection (8), superficial flap necrosis (11), combined wound infection and superficial flap necrosis (3), total flap failure (2), and orocutaneous fistula (6).


CONCLUSIONS
PMMF reconstruction is a reliable and cosmetically acceptable method of reconstruction in female patients for oral cavity defects after tumor ablation.
Associate Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology, Sri Venketeswar Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati, India. Electronic address: dramitabh2004@yahoo.com.
Amitabh
A
Jena
Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Sri Venketeswar Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati, India.
Rashmi
R
Patnayak
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology, Sri Venketeswar Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati, India.
Rajeev
R
Sharan
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology, Sri Venketeswar Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati, India.
Siva Kumar
SK
Reddy
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology, Sri Venketeswar Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati, India.
Banoth
B
Manilal
Lecturer, Department of Surgical Oncology, Sri Venketeswar Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati, India.
Leela Mohan Chandrasekhar
LM
Rao
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001114:Areca; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D064827:Myocutaneous Flap / Q000637:transplantation*; D037981:Neck Dissection; D009336:Necrosis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016155:Oral Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000601:surgery; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000637:transplantation*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012907:Smoking; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D062789:Tobacco Products