Regional flaps in facial reconstruction

Soft-tissue defects of the head and neck that are too extensive to be reconstructed with local flaps without excessive impairment of either form or function usually require repair by some type of regional flap. Selection of a specific regional flap depends on the type of defect, i.e., its size and location, and on the intrinsic properties of the regional flap. Single pedicle peninsular or island axial pattern flaps are usually selected because of their improved blood supply compared with random flaps. For most skin defects of the face and neck requiring reconstruction with a regional flap, a medially based deltopectoral flap is usually preferable to musculocutaneous flaps because it is less bulky and produces less donor-site functional impairments. Likewise, for large defects of the upper or lower lip, a deltopectoral flap in most instances is the regional flap of choice for reconstruction. Nasal defects that require regional flaps for repair are reconstructed with various types of forehead flaps. The median flap remains the most useful because the donor site can be closed primarily, leaving a thin midline scar that is camouflaged relatively easily. For nasal defects that require a longer flap that can be provided by a median flap, the oblique forehead flap provides additional length sufficient to reach the base of the columella. Larger defects of the oral cavity and oral pharynx usually require regional or microsurgical flaps for reconstruction of soft-tissue deficits. In addition, mandibular reconstruction may be necessary. The pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap is the author's preferred choice of a regional flap for reconstruction of such defects. The flap readily reaches the oral cavity and oral pharynx and the muscle provides good coverage of the carotid artery when neck dissection has been accomplished. A great advantage of the flap is the ability to achieve reconstruction in one stage without the need for a controlled salivary fistula. Although the deltopectoral flap is the author's preferred regional flap for reconstruction of major defects of the hypopharynx, the pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap is the regional flap of choice when patients are severely malnourished or cachetic. Both flaps provide a source of nonirradiated skin and provide sufficient tissue for total reconstruction of the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus. Both methods of reconstruction, however, have a relatively high rate of stenosis of the distal anastomoses.