Br. Mizerny et al., TRANSVERSE CERVICAL ARTERY FASCIOCUTANEOUS FREE-FLAP FOR HEAD AND NECK RECONSTRUCTION - INITIAL ANATOMIC AND DYE STUDIES, Otolaryngology and head and neck surgery, 113(5), 1995, pp. 564-568
METHOD: The bilateral transverse cervical arteries of 16 fresh cadaver
s were exposed by an infraclavicular midline approach, Each artery was
cannulated, and methylene blue dye was infused to delineate the skin
territory subserved by the vessel. The two major infusion skin pattern
s obtained allowed fashioning of a thin fasciocutaneous flap incorpora
ting supraclavicular skin, which was based on the transverse cervical
artery; or a larger flap additionally incorporating upper back skin an
d varying amounts of trapezius muscle, when the artery had a dorsal sc
apular artery branch. Depending on the skin pattern, either scapula or
clavicle could be transferred with the other soft tissues. RESULTS: T
he skin territory of the transverse cervical artery is caused to vary
by the presence or absence of its dorsal scapular artery branch. The s
upraclavicular portion of the flap is recommended for repair of facial
and nasal lesions because of its close match in color and texture to
facial skin. Oral lesions can also be reconstructed with this flap bec
ause of its pliability, CONCLUSION: The free flap based on the transve
rse cervical artery pedicle appears to be a useful addition to the arm
amentarium of flaps for head and neck reconstruction, Clinical use of
the flap is ongoing and will be subsequently reported.