The pectoralis major muscle flap without skin in intra-oral reconstruction

There are many methods of reconstructing intra-oral defects following surgical treatment of cancer. A very reliable flap is the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap which has the added advantage of carotid artery protection when a radical neck dissection has also been necessary. However this flap is very bulky, may cause distortion of the female breast and there is also the problem of continued hair growth in male patients. A description of the use of the pectoralis major muscle-only flap without any overlying skin, fascia or breast tissue is given. The advantages of rapid epithelialisation within the mouth of the muscle flap together with the minimal changes to the breasts are emphasised.