Pectoralis major myocutaneous flap: Analysis of complications in a VA population

Forty‐five cases of head and neck reconstruction with pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps (PMMF) between 1985 and 1990 were analyzed retrospectively for complications. Thirty‐two cases were done at the VA Medical Center and 13 at Albany Medical Center, a private university hospital. Total complication rate was 58%. In the VA population, complication rate was 59% as compared to 54% at the Albany Medical Center, which appears statistically not significant. It has been suggested that VA populations tend to have poorer health and socioeconomic status and are more likely to have higher complication rates. This conjecture is not borne out by this study. Complications are described and compared.