Misconceptions regarding the cervico-humeral flap

Supraclavicular artery island flap for reconstructing defects in the head and neck region

“…Even though arteria cervicalis superficialis was first illustrated by the anatomist Toldt [3] in 1903 and the first clinical application of the flap was performed in 1949, the flap was controversial due to its poor reliability [4,5]. In 1980, Blevins and Luce [6] reported a high incidence of flap necrosis with three cases of total flap loss and three cases of partial loss in a series of 19 cases.…”

“…The supraclavicular artery island flap is based on the cervical artery and its branch the supraclavicular artery, first termed by Lamberty [5]. Cadaveric studies demonstrate that the supraclavicular artery generally arises 3-5 cm from the origin of the transverse cervical artery [7,8 ] within the triangle formed by the middle third of the clavicle, the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the…”

Anatomical and Clinical Studies of the Supraclavicular Flap: Analysis of 103 Flaps Used to Reconstruct Neck Scar Contractures

“…Since then, the supraclavicular flap has been used widely. However, because its reliability is unclear at present, 13,14 we have sought to further clarify the vascularization and anatomical landmarks of the supraclavicular flap by performing anatomical studies on 40 flaps from 20 preserved cadavers. Our observations are reported here along with our retrospective and clinical analyses of the reliability of the 103 supraclavicular flaps that we have used on 101 patients since 2001.…”

Supraclavicular Artery Island Flap for Head and Neck Oncologic Reconstruction: Indications, Complications, and Outcomes

“…In 1983, Lamberty and Cormack named a vessel cephalad to the clavicular insertion of the trapezius muscle the supraclavicular artery. 3 Since it has been used, the flap has been controversial because of the reported incidence of distal flap necrosis. 4 Beginning in the 1990s, Pallua et al "rediscovered" this flap and popularized its use by performing detailed anatomical studies examining the vascularity of what is known today as the supraclavicular island flap.…”