Caudal trapezius composite island flap for extensive shoulder defects

The trapezius composite flap was first described by Demergasso in 1979 (2). The caudal trapezius island flap was described by Mathes and Nahai (4), in head and neck cancer reconstruction. Baek and Biller (1) described the descending branch of the transverse cervical artery, as a dominant blood supply. It is an useful flap for the reconstruction of defects around shoulder, neck and cheek regions. The anatomy of the trapezius muscle, its blood supply, vascular territories and its function is described in brief. Use of this flap in the reconstruction of compound extensive tissue defects in shoulder region of our patient is presented.