Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap For Reconstruction Of Major Neck Defects Following Surgery For Head And Neck Tumors. A 5-Years Multicenter Experience

Background: Surgeons have long faced the difficulty of reconstructing head and neck defects following treatments for malignancy. In addition to offering a reconstructive choice of acceptance in terms of color, texture, and advantageous scar position. Aim of the study was to document the utility and outcomes with the reconstruction of neck defects using Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap (PMMC).Methodology: The current study included 43 patients who were operated on for neck malignancies where wide composite excision with remaining large defect eligible for reconstruction using PMMC. Follow-up was planned for at least 12 months postoperatively for the post operative complications and aesthetic outcome.Results: In the current study the mean age of the included patient was 55.63±4.22 Among them 44.2 % presented with salivary gland tumors. The mean operative time was 6.25 ± 0.75 hours with a mean of 5.22 ± 0.67 days hospital stay. The postoperative wound infection was reported in 16.3 % of patients, wound dehiscence in 16.3 % of patients with no reported total flap loss. Partial flap loss was reported in 6 patients (13.95 %). There was a strong positive correlation between patients’evaluation and independent surgeons’ assessment (r=0.821). Conclusion: PMMC flap is a reliable option for the reconstruction of large neck defects. It is easy to be harvested with with minimal postoperative complications and accepted aesthetic outcome.