Pectoralis Major Myofascial (PMMF) Flap as a Valuable Alternative to Microvascular Free Flaps (MFF) in Females with Advanced Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas: A Retrospective Institutional Analysis.

Abstract

India contributes 60% of HNC cases worldwide among which OSCC has become the most common cancer in males and second most common in females (NCRCR 2020). As most cases present in advanced stage, surgical excision followed by flap reconstruction becomes mandatory to achieve functionality. Due to various logistics and financial issues, microvascular free flap reconstruction is not feasible in every case. Also in females, reconstruction with PMMC is challenging as it violates normal breast contour. As an alternative, we have explored the affectivity of pectoralis major myofascial (PMMF) flaps. A retrospective analysis was undertaken only in female patients with advanced stage oral malignancies who underwent surgery between September 2021 and January 2023. Patients having cutaneous involvement or requiring local flap reconstruction were excluded. Total 43 female patients were included in the study. Among them 8 had Tongue carcinoma and 35 had Alveobuccal carcinoma. 24 patients underwent PMMF reconstruction, whereas 19 patients underwent MFF reconstruction. The complication rates were 12.1% (3 out of 24) in PMMF and 89.4% (17 out of 19 cases)in MFF. Among PMMF group, 1 major complication (death, unrelated to flap) and 2 minor complications (wound infection) occured. Among the MFF group, major complications were e.g. Flap failure requiring re-exploration surgery (n = 4), wound dehiscence (n = 2), bleeding/hematoma (n = 1), donor site complications (n = 6). The minor complications being wound infections (n = 4). The goals of reconstruction of defects in oral cavity cancers are mainly functional and cosmetic integrity. Although MFF's provide a wide range of options for reconstruction of complex defects, as per our study the PMMF flap was more reliable and had lesser complications. PMMF flap is an invaluable alternative to MFF's in female patients for both reconstruction and breast contour preservation.