Abstract
The availability of reliable recipient vessels for free flap transfers in head and neck reconstruction may be limited in case of prior neck dissection or radiation therapy. To solve these problems, we use the internal mammary vessels as recipients for free omental flaps.
From 2001 to 2010, four patients who presented with pharyngocutaneous fistulas were treated with free omental flap and free jejunal flap transfer using the internal mammary vessels as recipient vessels. All free flaps took entirely.
The combined free omental flap and free jejunal flap transfer is a good option for patients with pharyngocutaneous fistula in whom previous surgery or radiation therapy has compromised local recipient vessels.
