Pre-expanded Supraclavicular Artery Perforator Flap

Abstract

The supraclavicular artery perforator (SAP) flap is a versatile flap for the reconstruction of head and neck defects. Recently, the authors have modified the SAP flap by using an anterior branch of the transverse cervical artery. The anterior SAP flap allows the harvest of a tissue island in the deltopectoral fossa, which is even thinner, is more pliable, and shows a superior color match to the face and neck compared with the original SAP flap. Pre-expansion increases flap size considerably, enabling the coverage of extended defects without the need of microsurgery.

Keywords: Head and neck reconstruction; Maxillofacial reconstruction; Perforator flap; Pre-expansion; Supraclavicular flap.