[Pectoralis major myocutaneous island flap for cervicofacial reconstruction: a 9-year experience]

The Pectoralis major island flap for cervico-facial reconstructions: a nine year experience. The pectoralis major m.c. flap was used for the restoration of post-tumorectomy defects in 220 patients (n = 224). 181 flaps were used for internal and 43 for external reconstructions. The overall failure rate was 9% (2.7% partial failures and 6.4% total failures). The causes which led to partial or total necrosis of a flap are analyzed. The results are compared to those of the literature. It is concluded that the above mentioned is a versatile flap in cervico-facial reconstructive surgery with a high success rate provided certain basic principles are respected during dissection and during the early postoperative period.