title: Is there still a role for bilobed/bipaddled pectoralis major myocutaneous flap for single-stage immediate reconstruction of post ablative oncologic full-thickness defects of the cheek?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reconstruction of full-thickness defects of the head and neck is a challenge. In this clinical study, we assessed the role of the bilobed/bipaddled pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) for the reconstruction of large full-thickness defects of the cheek, after resection of oral cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  After resection of oral cancer, 62 cases of through-and-through defects of the oral cavity were reconstructed using folded/bipaddled/bilobed PMMF flap. All were males and presented with locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which involved the buccal mucosa and gingivo buccal sulcus (n = 53) and gingivo buccal sulcus + lip (n = 9).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the flaps survived, and no patient developed a major complication. The most common complication in the current series was wound dehiscence. In 8% of cases, wound dehiscence was found at the donor site; in 6.45% of cases, dehiscence was present at the recipient site; and in 4.83% of cases, dehiscence was present at the neck. All the wounds healed secondarily with regular dressings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The bilobed/bipaddled PMMF is a straightforward and reliable flap that provides an effective mechanism to reconstruct full-thickness cheek defects while avoiding the complexity of microvascular free flaps. The bilobed/bipaddled PMMF has become our preferred reconstruction option for large full-thickness defects after resection of oral carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital, Wardha, Maharashtra, 442004, India, drbholanitin@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nitin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bhola
authors.forename: Anendd
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jadhav
authors.forename: Rajiv
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Borle
authors.forename: Gaurav
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Khemka
authors.forename: Sanatan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Harshit
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shrivastava
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002610:Cheek / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D064827:Myocutaneous Flap / Q000601:surgery*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*