Cutaneous versus myocutaneous flaps in the repair of major defects in head and neck cancer: A study of 331 flaps

A retrospective analysis was carried out of 311 reconstructions of major defects following head and neck cancer treatment. Three hundred thirty‐one flaps were used; they included cutaneous flaps from 1972 to 1979 and myocutaneous flaps (MCF) after 1979. The aim of this study was to compare the healing patterns of the two types of flaps used in similar circumstances. Even though the use of myocutaneous flaps reduced necrotic complications, there was no significant improvement in overall healing. In this type of reconstruction, local conditions as well as more general factors have greater prognostic significance. Apart from considerations of reliability, other criteria have led to myocutaneous flaps being the treatment of choice in cervicofacial cancer repair. However, specific indications for the use of cutaneous flaps remain.