COMPLICATIONS OF THE MYOCUTANEOUS PLATYSMA FLAP IN INTRAORAL RECONSTRUCTION

Background. Pedicled myocutaneous flaps remain important tools in head and neck reconstruction. Evaluation of their complications are necess ary to judge their merits. Methods. From 1985 to 1995, 44 patients und erwent a myocutaneous platysma flap reconstruction of the oral cavity or oropharynx. The following potential risk factors for complications were analyzed: age, sex, site of primary tumor, TNM stage, previous tr eatment, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and type of operation. Results. Fla p-related complications occurred in 18 patients. Only one patient requ ired reoperation for flap failure. Nineteen minor complications occurr ed in 17 patients. A significant increase in complications was seen in patients in which neoadjuvant chemotherapy was given. Conclusions. On e flap failure was observed in our series. As the platysma flap has se veral advantages, it should be considered in the reconstruction of sma ll intraoral defects. Contraindications are previous radiotherapy and surgery in the head and neck, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, nodal disease, and large defects. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.