Role of Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap (PMMC) in Head and Neck Cancer Reconstruction

Abstract

Background: Reconstruction following head and neck cancer surgery is a challenging task. The pectoralis major, the anterior trapezius, the posterior or vertical trapezius and the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps have been described for reconstruction in head and neck region. Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous(PMMC) flaps were originally developed in 1947 for the reconstruction of cardiothoracic tissue defects. Ariyan reported the first use of the PMMC flaps in head and neck reconstruction in 1979. The pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC) flap can be used as either a pedicled or a free flap. The PMMC flap is considered a ‘‘workhorse’’ flap for soft tissue reconstruction of the head, face, and neck region. It is a versatile flap and widely used for the treatment of surgical defects following oral cancer and ablative  resection. Although free flaps are nowadays considered “Gold Standard” of head and neck reconstruction, Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous(PMMC) Flap is still popular among cancer surgeons in developing countries for its many advantages and also due to lack of resources for free flaps in most of the centers ,large number of cancer patients with poor nutritional status and economic condition.

This presentation describes the use of PMMC flap for the reconstruction of buccal mucosa carcinoma.

Keywords: Pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, reconstructive surgery, cancer patients.