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.