Abstract
Microsurgical free-tissue transfer has recently been used in the head and neck region. Pedicle flap reconstruction, however, may be safer and more useful than free tissue transfer in patients with problems, including systemic complications and graft bed vascularization. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of pedicle flap reconstruction using a pectoralis major musculocutaneous (PMMC) flap, deltopectoral (D-P) flap or cervical island skin (CIS) flap following resection of oral cancer. Tissue defects after resection of oral cancer were reconstructed with a pedicle flap in 45 patients, including the PMMC flap in 25 patients, D-P flap in 9 patients, and CIS flap in 13 patients. Of the 45 patients, 2 patients underwent reconstructive surgery requiring 2 flaps each, the PMMC flap and D-P flap.
The flap survival rate was 96% for the PMMC flap, and 100% for the other flaps. Among patients for whom data were available, the operation times required for reconstruction with the PMMC flap (n = 11) and D-P flap (n = 6) were 3.1 ± 0.7 hours and 2.6 ± 1.1 hours, respectively. The harvesting time for the CIS flap was about 20 to 30 minutes. The most common postoperative complication was fistula formation due to suture failure, which was cured by irrigation in every patient.
Use of a pedicle flap is considered to be one of the useful options for reconstruction after resection of oral cancer.
