Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap Reconstruction with Deltopectoral Flap Incision in the Surgical Treatment of Oral Cancer

Abstract

Background: One of the main goals of patient management is the reconstruction of tissue defects following surgical resection for oral cancer. A variety of flaps used for this purpose, the most frequent being a Pectoralis Major Myocutaneus Flap (PMMF). This flap is currently widely used for the reconstruction of different defects of the head and neck. Methods: Surgical resection of the primary tumor, as well as neck dissection, performed on 29 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma between 2011–2017 in City Hospital #1 and Surgical Training Clinic of Azerbaijan Medical University. PMMF used for the reconstruction of defects using a deltopectoral flap incision. Results: In 22 patients (75.8 %) primary healing occurred following a PMMF. Four patients (13.8 %) suffered PMMF necrosis and were took back to the operating room for secondary reconstruction with a deltopectoral flap. In three patients (10.3%) the skin of the flap underwent necrosis, resulting in the development of an orocutaneous fistula. Conclusion: Use of PMMF with deltopectoral flap incision enables deltopectoral flap availability. This flap can then used early on or if PMMF fails.