Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Reconstruction of full-thickness cheek defect with a folded cervico-pectoral cutaneous flap following ablation of advanced oral cancer in elderly patient

  • Ideas and Innovations
  • Published:
European Journal of Plastic Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Reconstruction of full-thickness cheek defects involving both the oral lining and the external facial skin following ablative surgery remains a difficult task. Free flap reconstruction is the main modality of treatment, but sometimes there is a reluctance to use it in elderly patients with several comorbidities for an increased risk of non-cancer-related cause of death.

Methods

This article describes a folded cervico-pectoral fasciocutaneous flap that has been used to reconstruct a full-thickness cheek defect in elderly patients. Moreover, surgical technique and aesthetic results 2 years after surgery are discussed in this article.

Results

Currently, after 2 years, the patient is free of disease and enjoys good health.

Conclusions

In conclusion, folded cervico-pectoral fasciocutaneous flap is a fast and practical technique for reconstructing full-thickness cheek defects after tumor excision. The flap was straightforward to perform and reliable in both blood supply and cosmetic outcome, and it provides a good alternative to free flaps for cheek and upper neck reconstruction of elderly patients.

Level of Evidence: Level V, therapeutic study.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Shah JP (1980) Folded forehead flap for reconstruction of full-thickness defects of the cheek. Head Neck Surg 2:248–252

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Towpik E, Meyza J (1990) The "double faced" pectoralis major island flap. A valuable alternative in full-thickness cheek reconstruction. J Craniomaxillofac Surg 18:85–87

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Yang ZH, Zhang DM, Chen WL et al (2013) Reconstruction of through-and-through oral cavity defects with folded extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 51:731–735

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Zhang DM, Chen WL, Lin ZY et al (2014) Use of a folded reverse facial-submental artery submental island flap to reconstruct soft palate defects following cancer ablation. J Craniomaxillofac Surg 42:910–914

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Kang SH, Nam W, Cha IH et al (2009) Double continuous radial forearm flap for the reconstruction of full-thickness buccal cheek defect. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 62:95–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Chiu WK, Lin WC, Chen SY et al (2011) Computed tomography angiography imaging for the chimeric anterolateral thigh flap in reconstruction of full thickness buccal defect. ANZ J Surg 81:142–147

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Hayden RE, Nagel TH (2013) The evolving role of free flaps and pedicled flaps in head and neck reconstruction. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 21:305–310

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Reiter M, Baumeister P, Jacobi C (2017) Head and neck reconstruction in the elderly patient: a safe procedure? Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 10. doi:10.1007/s00405-017-4599-3

  9. Ozkan O, Ozgentas HE, Islamoglu K et al (2005) Experiences with microsurgical tissue transfers in elderly patients. Microsurgery 25:390–395

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Becker DW Jr (1978) A cervicopectoral rotation flap for cheek coverage. Plast Reconstr Surg 61:868–870

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Cuesta-Gil M, Concejo C, Acero J et al (2004) Repair of large orbito-cutaneous defects by combining two classical flaps. J Craniomaxillofac Surg 32:21–27

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Chen WL, Yang ZH, Zhang DM et al (2012) Reconstruction of major full cheek defects with combined extensive pedicled supraclavicular fasciocutaneous island flaps and extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flaps after ablation of advanced oral cancer. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 70:1224–1231

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Dentistry, University of Verona, Piazzale Ludovico Antonio Scuro, 10, Verona, Italy

    Tommaso Bucci, Andrea Fior & Pier Francesco Nocini

Authors
  1. Tommaso Bucci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Andrea Fior
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Pier Francesco Nocini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tommaso Bucci.

Ethics declarations

Funding

The authors have not received any funding for this work.

Conflict of interest

Tommaso Bucci, Andrea Fior, and Pier Francesco Nocini declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Patient consent

Patients provided written consent for the use of their images. Additional informed consent was obtained from all individual participants for whom identifying information is included in this article.

Ethical Approval

For this type of retrospective study formal consent is not required.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bucci, T., Fior, A. & Nocini, P.F. Reconstruction of full-thickness cheek defect with a folded cervico-pectoral cutaneous flap following ablation of advanced oral cancer in elderly patient. Eur J Plast Surg 41, 89–92 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-017-1350-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-017-1350-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation