THE STERNOCLEIDOMASTOID MYOCUTANEOUS FLAP FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF DEFECTS OF THE ORAL CAVITY AND PHARYNX

Background: Among the myocutaneous island flaps applied for reconstruc tion of large soft-tissue defects after ablative surgery for malignoma s, the pectoralis major flap is the one most frequently used. In compa rison, the sternocleidomastoid myocutaneous island flap is not as popu lar. Methods: We report on our experiences with the superiorly based s ternocleidomastoid myocutaneous (SCM) island flap (cutaneous island of 6-8 cm in diameter) in seven consecutive cases after resection of mal ignomas of the oral cavity and the pharynx. The vascularization from t he occipital artery is additionally supplied by preserving the platysm a during preparation of the SCM flap. Results: Only one total cutaneou s necrosis was observed in a patient who had received prior radiation. In the other 6 cases no major complications (necrosis or fistula) occ urred. Conclusion: When the preservation of the sternocleidoid muscle does not compromise oncologic principles as in cases with limited lymp he node involvement (N-0-N-1), the SCM flap appears to be a useful and simple technique, particularly in female patients compared with the p ectoralis major flap, in addition to others.