Head and neck reconstruction using infrahyoid myocutaneous flap

Abstract

We reviewed seven patients who underwent reconstruction using an infrahyoid myocutaneous flap after ablative surgery for head and neck cancers, and examined the safety and eligibility of using this flap. Although one patient developed partial necrosis of the skin island, the other six patients showed total survival of the flap. The patient with partial flap loss developed a small pharyngocutaneous fistula, and two other patients developed local wound infection without fistula, but those complications healed conservatively. The time taken till starting oral intake ranged from 5 to 20 days after surgery (mean: 9 days), and all patients finally regained oral intake without tube feeding. Because the skin island and the feeding vessels of the infrahyoid myocutaneous flap are included in the neck and the flap is technically easy to harvest, using this flap is minimally invasive for head and neck cancer patients. However, the flap is not indicated for some patients due to the size and position of the primary tumor and neck lymph node metastases. If eligible patients are properly selected, the infrahyoid myocutaneous flap provides a safe and useful option in head and neck reconstruction.