The Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Pedicled Flap Revisited

Shinichi Asamura, Hirohiko Kakizaki, Kazunori Mori, Kazuhide Matsunaga, Wada Mitsuhiro, Noritaka Isogai

Department of Ophthalmology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Japan.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Field of Maxillofacial Rehabilitation Advanced Therapeutic Course, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan.
Department of Otolaryngology, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan 2Department of Ophthalmology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Japan.

DOI: 10.4236/ss.2013.49075                

Abstract

The pectoralis major myocutaneous pedicle flap (PMMF) is still being used by many surgeons and plays an important role in head and neck reconstruction. The purpose of this series was to review our 10 years’ experience with the PMMF in head and neck reconstruction. One hundred and two patients who underwent the PMMF technique were reviewed on the clinical records. Postoperative complications were classified into flap loss, hemorrhage, infection, fistula formation, wound dehiscence and donor site complication. Eighty two patients (80.4%) demonstrated no complication. Six patients among 102 patients (5.9%) demonstrated total or partial skin necroses. Three female patients were completely dissatisfied with the cosmetic appearance after the PMMF. One of them required a reconstructive surgery with the latissimusdorsi flap. Without surgical expertise in plastic surgical field, an ear-nose-throat or an oral surgeon can performed the PMMF technique provided the operator is well aware of serious and frequent complications of this “workhorse” procedure.

Keywords

Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Pedicled Flap; Head and Neck Reconstruction; Flap Loss; Breast Disfigurement

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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