Ya Zu-Meng, Zhao Yunliu
Department of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing University of Medical Science, Chongqing 400010, China.
Zhonghua Zheng Xing Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2007 May;23(3):191-2.
To improve the blood circulation of myocutaneous platysma flap and its survival rate.
There were seventeen oral cancer patients in this group. After the tumor excision, the oral defect was reconstructed with myocutaneous platysma flap which had submandibular pedicle and contained external jugular vein.
There was no any circulation compromise in this group. The survival rate of the flap was 100% . Two cases encountered oral-facial fistula but were cured by dressing change.
Preserving and containing the external jugular vein in the flap is helpful for improving the blood circulation of the myocutaneous platysma flap and making its survival rate higher.