[Reconstruction surgery and repair using a musculocutaneous flap. Apropos of 124 cases]

Between 1981 and 1983, 116 patients (109 men and 7 women) underwent reconstructive surgery with musculocutaneous flaps following major surgical excision of a cervicofacial tumor recurring after curative radiotherapy. Mean age of patients was 54 years. The most frequently used flap (110/124) was from the pectoralis major. Advantages of the use of a musculocutaneous flap for repair appear to be: first intention healing in most cases; notable reduction in hospital stay; possibility of wider tumoral excision and also of combining lymph node excision, and improved functional results. Follow-up surveillance has been for a mean of only one year, too short a period for assessing carcinologic results.