[Pectoralis major muscle island flaps. Personal experiences]

Fifty-six pectoralis major island flap procedures were carried out in 52 patients for the immediate reconstruction of defects after resection of head, neck or thoracic tumors. In 28 we used only a part of the muscle covered with meshgraft, in another 28 as a myocutaneous island flap. The complication rate was low: One partial flap necrosis, two bleedings postoperatively on the donor site, four fistulas (one required a second operation). One necrosis of ribs required the resection and covering with a latissimus dorsi flap. One patient died with mediastinitis. The functional aspects of the muscle donor site is stressed out.