Scapular free flap for repair of massive lower facial composite defects

The scapular osteocutaneous free flap provides excellent tissue for reconstruction of massive lower facial defects. Five cases of full-thickness cheek and lip defects associated with mandibular loss were successfully repaired with sandwiched osteocutaneous scapular flaps plus a parascapular or latissimus dorsi flap. In two instances the osteocutaneous scapular flap was harvested along with a parascapular skin paddle. The other three patients had latissimus dorsi myocutaneous units taken with the scapular osteocutaneous flap from the same subscapular pedicle.