Experiences with myocutaneous island flaps of the pectoralis major muscle for reconstruction of defects in the bucco-pharyngeal cavity.

Defects in the bucco-pharyngeal cavity after tumor resection were closed with pectoralis major myocutaneous island flaps in ten consecutive patients. The skin element consisted of an island which was transposed on a muscular pedicle containing the vascular stalk. The advantages and disadvantages of the method and the results and complications in the treated patients are discussed. When the defects mentioned require pedicled skin flaps, the pectoralis major island flap is preferred.