Scapular free flap for repair of massive lower facial composite defects

✍ Scribed by Granick, Mark S. ;Newton, E. Douglas ;Hanna, Dwight C.

• Book ID: 102849116
• Publisher: Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
• Year: 1986
• Weight: 547 KB
• Volume: 8
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0148-6403
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.2890080607

✦ Synopsis

The scapular osteocutaneous free flap provides excellent tissue for reconstruction of massive lower facial defects. Five cases of full-thickness cheek and lip defects associated with mandibular loss were successfully repaired with sandwiched osteocutaneous scapular flaps plus a parascapular or latissimus dorsi flap. In two instances the osteocutaneous scapular flap was harvested along with a parascapular skin paddle. The other three patients had latissimus dorsi myocutaneous units taken with the scapular osteocutaneous flap from the same subscapular pedicle. HEAD & NECK SURGERY a:436-441,1986

Full-thickness lip and cheek defects as well as mandibular defects have been among the most challenging of reconstructive problems. In recent years the advent of myocutaneous flaps and microvascular tissue transfers has provided new options to aid in replacing lower facial tissue. This report demonstrates that the scapular osteocutaneous free flap in combination with a latissimus dorsi or parascapular flap can be transferred on a single pedicle (Figure 1) to restore composite tissue to the lower face.