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. 2025 Jul-Aug;36(5):e579-e581.
doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000011423. Epub 2025 Apr 29.

Trapezius Myocutaneous Flap Reconstruction for the Head and Neck

Jolly S Grewal  1 , Malek H Bouzaher  2 , Arya W Namin  3 , Weitao Wang  4 , Yadranko Ducic  5
Affiliations

Trapezius Myocutaneous Flap Reconstruction for the Head and Neck

Jolly S Grewal et al. J Craniofac Surg. 2025 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Introduction: The trapezius myocutaneous flap is a valuable option for reconstructing defects in the head and neck region requiring a sizeable skin paddle. This study assessed surgical outcomes of the trapezius myocutaneous flap in head and neck reconstruction, specifically focusing on defects of the lateral temporal bone, lateral neck, and scalp or posterior midline neck.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed patients grouped by site of defect within the head and neck. Subgroup analysis was performed.

Results: Overall rates of complication for the lateral temporal bone and lateral neck were 14.5% and 21.1%, respectively. The odds of complications in the scalp and midline posterior neck site were significantly higher (2.94 times higher) than in patients with a temporal bone defect site (odds ratio=2.94, P =0.027).

Conclusions: The trapezius flap is useful when reconstructing the lateral temporal bone and lateral neck defects, likely due to a more favorable arc of rotation.

Keywords: Neck reconstruction; scalp reconstruction; temporal bone reconstruction; trapezius flap; trapezius island flap.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

References

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