The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. Experience in 100 consecutive cases

Abstract

The authors have made a study of 100 consecutive cases in whom a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap was employed for reconstruction after surgical ablation of advanced malignant tumours in the head and neck. The results obtained show that primary healing took place in 74% of cases with a relatively low incidence of complications. The authors therefore confirm the reliability of the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, which, owing to its rich blood supply, offers the possibility of providing large cutaneous islands, and its proximity to the site of ablation provides a simple and reliable method which may be used in the majority of cases of immediate or delayed reconstruction of the cervico-maxillo-facial area.