Secondary Reconstruction of Mandibular Depression Deformity with Pedicled Latissimus Dorsi Myocutaneous Flap / Oral Science International

ABSTRACT

When secondary reconstruction is required in the head and neck region where a primary operation was performed before, it is important to select a flap which is not only suitable for the purpose, but also can be transferred more safely. In the present case, a female patient, 33 years old, complained of depression deformity around the left mandibular region. She had undergone segmental mandibulectomy coupled with radical neck dissection because of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the left submandibular gland 12 years ago. The deformity was thought to be mainly due to the deficiency of subdermal soft tissue. The insertion of a denuded and folded pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap into the submandibular space satisfactorily restored the depressed mandibular contour. The pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap can acquire a bulkiness by being folded, whose atrophy is tolerable for a long period, and is safe for secondary reconstruction.