What Researchers Did
Researchers presented a case of a 67-year-old female who underwent a supraclavicular artery island flap reconstruction for a contralateral laryngopharyngeal defect after head and neck cancer surgery.
What They Found
They found that a 67-year-old female with a second primary pharyngeal carcinoma, 9 years after initial therapy for floor of mouth cancer, successfully underwent reconstruction using a right-sided supraclavicular artery island flap for a left-sided defect. The patient healed completely with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and conservative wound care, demonstrating the flap's viability for poor microvascular surgical candidates.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This technique offers a valuable reconstructive option for Canadian patients with complex head and neck defects, especially those with previous surgery or radiation that precludes ipsilateral flap use. It could particularly benefit patients who are not ideal candidates for more complex microvascular surgery, potentially reducing operative times.
Canadian Relevance
This study does not have a direct Canadian connection as it was conducted outside of Canada.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, the findings of this study cannot be generalized to a broader patient population.