Osteogaleal pedicle flap of the occipital region for head and neck reconstruction--anatomic study.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to assess the anatomic viability of an occipital osteogaleal pedicle flap for head and neck reconstruction.

DESIGN

Anatomic study in cadavers.

METHOD

We studied anatomic details in 50 fresh adult cadavers (100 sides). The dissections were realized after total posterior galea exposition, silicone injection of occipital vessels, and mobilization of the osteogaleal flap, with a 8 x 8-cm square of galea and a 2.5 x 7-cm rectangle of outer-table calvarial bone.

RESULTS

Occipital artery obstruction = 4%; artery diameter = 2.69 mm (mean); occipital artery length = 134.25 mm (mean); occipital vein running close to the artery = 93%; area of occipital vessel network on galea = 148.77 cm2 (mean); thickness of outer-table bone graft = 6.07 mm (mean); pedicle length = 116.63 mm; and success in rotation to nose (82%), mandible (70%) and cricoid region (100%).

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that the pedicle osteogaleal occipital flap has favourable anatomic characteristics for its use in head and neck reconstruction.