title: Contemporary role of pectoralis major regional flaps in head and neck surgery.
abstract: Countless disadvantages of the "old" pectoralis major have been listed while the amazing versatility of the free flap armamentarium gives the opportunity to suit the defect deriving from virtually every ablative head and neck surgery with a tailored reconstruction. Nevertheless, pectoralis major is still the "workhorse" for head and neck reconstruction in developing countries thanks to its ease of harvest, and minimal requirements in term of instrumentation. Furthermore, even in facilities with a high volume of reconstructions by free flaps, a certain number of pectoralis major flaps is still raised every year. The history, present role and current indications of the most widely head and neck reconstructive procedure ever has been reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Clinica Otorinolaringoiatrica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore-Policlinico Gemelli, Rome, Italy;
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bussu
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Clinica Otorinolaringoiatrica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore-Policlinico Gemelli, Rome, Italy;
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gallus
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Chirurgia Cervico Facciale, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Navach
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Chirurgia Cervico Facciale, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bruschini
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Chirurgia Cervico Facciale, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tagliabue
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Clinica Otorinolaringoiatrica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore-Policlinico Gemelli, Rome, Italy;
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Almadori
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Clinica Otorinolaringoiatrica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore-Policlinico Gemelli, Rome, Italy;
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paludetti
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Chirurgia Cervico Facciale, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Calabrese
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000637:transplantation*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Fasciocutaneous flaps; Head and neck reconstruction; Myocutaneous flaps; Pectoralis major; Regional flaps