ISLAND FLAP

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the role of Supraclavicular Artery Island Flap as analternate to local and other regional flaps for complex soft tissue reconstruction of head and neckdefects created by tumor resection, fire arm injuries, and burns. Study Design: A descriptiveclinical experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: From December 2014 to November2017, at Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Dow University of Health Sciencesand Dr. Ruth KM Pfau, Civil Hospital Karachi, Pakistan. Methodology: Pedicle supraclavicularartery island flap was used to reconstruct facial soft tissue defects. Recipient and donor siteoutcomes, functional consequences and complications were assessed. Patients with soft tissuedefects either due to tumor extirpation and supraomohyoid neck dissection, trauma due tofirearm arm and burn were included. Patients with level IV neck dissection or having scarred orinjured supraclavicular areas were excluded. Results: Eighty-Four Supraclavicular Artery Islandflap reconstructions were performed for the reconstruction of lower face defects. Mean age ofpatients was 40.7 years. Through-and-through defect involving the oral lining and skin of thelower face after tumor excision in 78 cases, fire arm injury and burn was the cause in3patientseach. Complete flap failure was 3 (3.5%) and partial flap failure was in 6 (7.1%) patients. Meanperiod of follow-up was 11.86 months (range 7-19 months). Conclusion: Supraclavicular ArteryIsland Flap is an excellent alternate to other local and regional flaps with impressive recovery,acceptable skin color match and restoration of anatomic function at recipient site without anyserious complications. Majority of donor sites were closed primarily, and healed without anymajor complications.