Thyroid Gland Flap for Minimally Invasive Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery

Area of Science:

• Surgical Oncology
• Reconstructive Surgery
• Head and Neck Surgery

Background:

• Head and neck defects can arise from cancer surgery.
• Salvage surgery post-chemoradiotherapy carries risks due to prior treatment damage.
• Novel reconstructive techniques are needed for complex head and neck cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the technique of a novel thyroid gland flap for head and neck reconstruction.
• To evaluate the outcomes and safety of this flap in clinical cases.
• To assess the flap's viability and integration with irradiated tissues.

Main Methods:

• Thyroid gland flap reconstruction was performed in 13 cases (11 patients) between 2009 and 2020.
• The procedure involved flap elevation, rotation, and suturing techniques.
• Clinical outcomes, flap blood flow, thyroid function, and histopathology were assessed.

Main Results:

• The study included patients aged 49-77 years, with reconstructions for cancer resection and other conditions.
• No surgical complications were reported, and all flaps showed adequate enhancement and fusion with recipient tissue.
• Postoperative thyroid function remained normal, and the flap integrated well with irradiated tissues.

Conclusions:

• The thyroid gland flap, utilizing the superior thyroid arteriovenous pedicle, is an effective option for head and neck reconstruction.
• This flap is suitable for reinforcing defects after cancer resection and can be used in challenging cases involving prior radiation.
• The technique is safe, with no observed complications and successful integration into the surgical site.