Expansion of myocutaneous flaps
V. Forte, W. G. Middleton and T. D. Briant
The controlled expansion of myocutaneous flaps offers a potential means of
increasing their size. The pectoralis major flap was successfully expanded
in pigs, giving mean percentage increases in the axial lengths of 32% and
widths of 51% over nonexpanded controls. Angiographic and histomorphologic
studies of the expanded flaps demonstrated the vascular and histologic
changes that resulted. This new surgical technique should prove valuable in
extending the field of head and neck reconstruction in man.