Sternocleidomastoid myoperiosteal flap for the repair of laryngeal and tracheal wall defects.

A myoperiosteal flap consisting of the steronocleidomastoid muscle and clavicular periost was successfully used in the repair of deficient laryngeal and cervical tracheal wall in three cases. Complete epithelialization took place with no granuloma formation in any of the three. This flap proved to be rigid enough to form a noncollapsed wall at times of alternative pressure changes. The method described consists of a one-stage procedure where the donor site is in the same surgical field as the defect. There is no interference with any vital function and no apparent cosmetic defect. Therefore, it can be considered a viable alternative to procedures already in use.