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J Reconstr Microsurg 1997; 13(3): 171-175
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1006401
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1997 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Free Rectus Abdominis Musculocutaneous Flap for Head and Neck Reconstruction

Soh Nishimoto, Masao Kakibuchi, Ko Hosokawa, Motomu Maeda, Shinya Urakawa, Hisashi Hikasa, Akihiko Tsukino, Fumihiko Maeda
  • Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Dermatology, Osaka University School of Medicine, and Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Osaka Police Hospital, Japan
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Publication History

Accepted for publication 1996

Publication Date:
08 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Surgery in the head and neck often results in large and complex tissue defects. The free rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap has many advantages for reconstruction of these defects. A good volume of tissue can be harvested with a long and large-diameter vascular pedicle. A reliable blood supply enables thinning, shaping, and molding of the flap, and it can be elevated with the patient in the supine position. The harvesting technique is easy with good visualization. The authors prefer this free flap for reconstructing relatively large defects in the head and neck, and have had experience with 55 cases, which were analyzed for results and complications.