Reconstruction for cervical irradiation ulcers with myocutaneous flaps

Radiation-induced skin changes are commonly seen in patients who have been treated for head and neck malignancies. Some of these skin changes can progress into chronic postradiation ulcers, which despite aggressive medical wound management will not resolve spontaneously. Skin grafts and local cutaneous flaps located within the radiation field are unreliable and rarely provide adequate stable coverage. In this article, the authors report a combined experience of 52 patients whose postradiation cervical ulcers were successfully and reliably treated with myocutaneous flaps.