Reconstruction of large head and neck defects with extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap

doi:10.19438/j.cjoms.2023.01.001

Abstract

Abstract: The extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap (eVLTIMF) supplied by the transverse cervical artery is safe and reliable for reconstruction of large head and neck defects. The flap is easy to harvest, and the survival rate is high. The donor area is hidden, which can be closed and sutured directly, with fewer complications and less impact on shoulder movement. It can also be made into folded flaps, combined with other pedicled flaps or combined scapular osteomyocutaneous flap was used to repair huge through-and-through defect or defects of the mandible. It is believed that eVLTIMF can play an important role in the repair of large head and neck defects, especially in the repair and reconstruction of huge defects flowing salvage surgery for advanced recurrent head and neck tumors. The clinical applied anatomy of the trapezius muscle, harvesting eVLTIMF flap and application in the reconstruction of craniomaxillofacial, oral maxillofacial and maxillocervical defects were described in this paper.

Key words: Trapezius myocutaneous flap, Scapular flap, Pedicled flap, Transverse cervical artery, Head and neck defects, Oral and maxillofacial defects, Head and neck tumors, Oral carcinoma, Oropharyngeal carcinoma, Head and neck reconstruction, Salvage surgery

CLC Number:

R782.2

CHEN Wei-liang. Reconstruction of large head and neck defects with extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap[J]. China Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2023, 21(1): 1-10.

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