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A New Approach for Lengthening the Pectoralis Flap

M. Sean Freeman, MD; J. Regan Thomas, MD; Jeff A. Zipper, MD

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1989;115(2):224-227.

Abstract
• Complications associated with using the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap increase significantly when a portion of the paddle is randomized and/or the flap is closed under tension. The clavicular division technique was devised to increase the length of the flap to help alleviate this problem. Thirty pectoralis major muscle flaps were dissected in fresh cadavers, using the clavicular division technique. The length of the flap after transposition was measured and recorded before and after clavicular division. The distance from the sternal notch to the clavicular division point was also recorded. The average gain in length was found to be 2.9 cm, with a range of 0.5 cm to 6.5 cm. The clavicular division technique has been used since in five patients. The increase in length has allowed us to discard some or all of the random portion of the flap. We advocate the use of this procedure on any patient where the surgeon is concerned about the viability of the random portion of the flap and/or when it is felt that the tension on the suture line is excessive.

(Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1989;115:224-227)

Author Affiliations
From the Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology and Neck Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis (Drs Freeman and Thomas), and Department of General Surgery, Cornell Medical Center, Great Neck, NY (Dr Zipper). Dr Freeman is now with Charlotte (NC) Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication July 19, 1988.

Read before the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Palm Beach, Fla, April 30, 1988.

Reprint requests to Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates, 1600 E Third St, Charlotte, NC 28204-3282 (Dr Freeman).

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