The free scapular/parascapular flap as a reliable method of reconstruction in the head and neck region: a retrospective analysis of 130 reconstructions performed over a period of 5 years in a single department.
BACKGROUND
The scapular/parascapular free flap was described by Saijo in 1978 and has since then been widely used in reconstructive procedures.


METHODS
This is a retrospective study, describing our experience with the use of free scapula/parascapular flap in 130 reconstructions over a period of 5 years in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the University Hospital of Erlangen. Demographical data, data regarding the underlying pathology, flap raising details, microvascular anastomoses, early and late postoperative complications will be presented.


RESULTS
The flap was raised without problems and the donor site was primarily closed in all cases. Sixteen flaps required revision. Five transplants were lost (failure rate of 3.85%). Loss of part of the flap was observed in 3 cases (2.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
The free scapula/parascapular flap is a versatile and reliable flap that can find many applications in the reconstruction of complex head and neck defects.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Head: Professor Dr. Med. Dr. Med. Dent. Dr. h.c. Friedrich-Wilhelm Neukam), University Hospital of Erlangen, Östliche Stadtmauerstrasse 27, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. Electronic address: Konstantinos.Mitsimponas@uk-erlangen.de.
Konstantinos T
KT
Mitsimponas
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Head: Professor Dr. Med. Dr. Med. Dent. Dr. h.c. Friedrich-Wilhelm Neukam), University Hospital of Erlangen, Östliche Stadtmauerstrasse 27, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Christos
C
Iliopoulos
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Head: Professor Dr. Med. Dr. Med. Dent. Dr. h.c. Friedrich-Wilhelm Neukam), University Hospital of Erlangen, Östliche Stadtmauerstrasse 27, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Philipp
P
Stockmann
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Head: Professor Dr. Med. Dr. Med. Dent. Dr. h.c. Friedrich-Wilhelm Neukam), University Hospital of Erlangen, Östliche Stadtmauerstrasse 27, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Lars
L
Bumiller
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Head: Professor Dr. Med. Dr. Med. Dent. Dr. h.c. Friedrich-Wilhelm Neukam), University Hospital of Erlangen, Östliche Stadtmauerstrasse 27, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Emeka
E
Nkenke
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Head: Professor Dr. Med. Dr. Med. Dent. Dr. h.c. Friedrich-Wilhelm Neukam), University Hospital of Erlangen, Östliche Stadtmauerstrasse 27, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Friedrich W
FW
Neukam
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Head: Professor Dr. Med. Dr. Med. Dent. Dr. h.c. Friedrich-Wilhelm Neukam), University Hospital of Erlangen, Östliche Stadtmauerstrasse 27, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Karl-Andreas
KA
Schlegel
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D064592:Autografts / Q000637:transplantation*; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000637:transplantation*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006257:Head / Q000601:surgery*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery*; D010025:Osteoradionecrosis / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods; D060053:Transplant Donor Site / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult
Head; Microvascular; Neck; Reconstruction; Scapula