[Function of the arm after plastic surgery of defects of head and neck tissues using musculo-cutaneous flaps]. / Funktsiia verkhnei konechnosti posle plastiki defektov tkanei golovy i shei kozhno-myshechnymi loskutami.

Under study was function of the upper extremity in 56 patients at different terms after plasty of defects of the head and neck with muscular-cutaneous flaps. The greatest restriction of movements in the humeral articulation was found after inclusion of the musculus trapezius into the flap. Formation of the free flap including the broadest muscle of the back resulted in a minimum restriction of the shoulder mobility. A year or more later contractures of the humeral articulation in the side of formation of the flap were noted in patients with paralysis of musculus trapezius and in patients who were not engaged in therapeutic physical training.