Single Staged Bipaddled Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap Reconstruction - Revisiting a Standardized Option in the Era of Free Flaps

Background: In the era of microvascular free flap reconstruction of oral cavity defects following major resections of carcinoma buccal mucosa, the utility of a bipaddled pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC) flap can never be questioned due to its versatility in reconstruction of defects of the head and neck. Objectives: Our primary objective is to present our experience in the use of a single staged bipaddled pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC) flap for reconstruction of full thickness defects of the oral cavity following composite resection of carcinoma buccal mucosa. Patients and methods: A total of 16 patients diagnosed with carcinoma of the buccal mucosa who underwent composite resection and reconstruction with biapddled pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstruction were included in our analysis, and the results were studied. Results: The total number of patients included were 16, the median age at diagnosis was 53 years (48–73 years), and the median duration of follow-up was 13 months (1–15 months). The mean duration of reconstruction was 136.4 minutes, with an average hospital stay after surgery of 7.8 days (7–10 days). The overall complication rate was 32%, and all the complications were managed conservatively with minimal morbidity and without any readmissions. Conclusion: The bipaddled pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC) flap is a versatile flap, and has been standardized due to its relatively easier learning curve and lowest complication rates. It can be validated as a viable alternate option to micro vascular free flap reconstruction for complex defects arising following composite resections of the head and neck region.