Supraclavicular artery flap for head and neck oncologic reconstruction: an emerging alternative.

Aim: Head and Neck oncologic resections often leave complex defects which are challenging to reconstruct. The need of the hour is a versatile flap which has the advantages of both a regional flap (viz. reliable and easy to harvest) and a free flap (thin, pliable with good colour match). In this a study we assessed the usefulness of the supraclavicular artery flap in head and neck oncologic defects.

Materials And Method: The flap was used as a pedicled fasciocutanous and was based on the transverse supraclavicular artery. We assessed this reconstructive option for complications as well as its and functional out comes.

Results: Eleven cases underwent supraclavicular artery flap between 20011-2012 of which 5 were males and 6 females. Mean defect size was 5 cm × 6 cm. Nine donor sites were closed primarily and 1 required split skin grafting. We encountered one complete flap loss which was attributed to a band of constricting skin bridge over the vascular pedicle in a defect involving lateral third of midface. Two patient developed pharyngeocutaneous fistula (without flap loss) out of 3 patients who underwent augmentation pharyngoplasty post Near total laryngectomy.

Conclusion: Supra clavicular artery flap is a thin versatile, reliable, easy to harvest, with good cosmetic and functional outcome at both ends (recipient and donor) for reconstructing head and neck oncologic defects.