Parascapular free flaps in skin malignancies

Laryngoscope. 2011 Mar;121(3):538-40. doi: 10.1002/lary.21402. Epub 2011 Jan 4.

Abstract

This study was a retrospective review of a case series of nine patients, aged 40 to 83 years, presenting to the head and neck cancer department at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, with a diagnosis of head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), requiring reconstruction after surgical resection. In this group of patients, parascapular fasciocutaneous free flaps proved to be a safe, reliable, and cosmetically effective choice for reconstruction of head and neck skin cancer defects. Choosing donor tissue from a relatively non-sun exposed area can prevent potential development of new malignancies that may arise from donor sites using sun-exposed skin. We discuss the benefits and versatility of the parascapular fasciocutaneous free flap and our experience in using this flap to reconstruct complex surgical defects.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / surgery*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery*
  • Ear Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Esthetics
  • Facial Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Female
  • Free Tissue Flaps*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microsurgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / surgery*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Tissue and Organ Harvesting / methods