Head and neck reconstructive surgery. Ten years of experience with pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps

In this paper we present our experience with pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps in head and neck reconstructive procedures. We've analysed a specific group of 201 patients in whom was executed the same flap, performed by the same surgeon, during a period of ten years. We've studied a few parameters concerning the receptor site, first-hand or rattrapage surgery, reliability of the flap versus previous or posterior radiotherapy, versatility of the flap, complications, and longterm restore of the digestive tract (in selected cases). We did also a subjective evaluation of the aesthetic and functional results. We initiate these reconstructive techniques routinely in 1988, and since than to 1997 we did several different reconstructions including these 201 with the pectoralis major, that we found to be the most versatile one.