[Lateral trapezius flap in cervico-facial surgery. Apropos of 89 cases]

Described since 1976, the lateral trapezius flap is not very used in cervico facial reconstructive surgery because of its dissection which is considered as difficult and because of the variability of its vascular pedicle. This latter problem can be removed by the systematic use of preoperative arteriography. We present our retrospective experience of 89 flaps (70 cases of tumors and 19 cases of balistic pathology. We can conclude that the lateral trapezius flap owns specific indications: cutaneous and mucous defects of lips and cheeks, defects of pharyngeal area, defects of floor of the mouth considering of its thin thickness, mandibular defects where it takes place between reconstructive plates and revascularized bone transplants especially for the symphysis area.