Reconstruction of Maxillofacial Cancer Defects by Supraclavicular Flaps

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:Rebuilding head and neck defects is a chief challenge to the maxillofacial surgeons especially after cancer resection, trauma, infection and craniofacial deformities. Earlier, the use of obturators for many years has been a successful treatment plan. However, recently several surgical modalities are available for the restoration of such defects as locoregional or microvascular free flaps. Objectives: To evaluate the reliability of the supraclavicular flap in the reconstruction of the maxillofacial defects. METHODOLOGY: Eleven patients were included in the study who required reconstruction of the maxillofacial defects due to squamous cell or mucoepidermoid carcinoma through harvesting of the supraclavicular flap (SCF). The patients were followed-up for at least 6 months. The mean harvesting time, length/width of the flap, range of mouth opening, general complications after the surgery and the complications related to the flap were assessed. Results: The mean harvesting time of the flap was 45.45±4.16 minutes. The flap mean length was 22.64±1.12 cm, whereas the mean width was 6.14±1.14 cm. The flap survived in 9 patients while two patients had complete flap loss. Conclusion: The pedicled SCF represents a safe and feasible option that can be used to reconstruct a wide array of maxillofacial oncologic defects.