John B. McCraw

Pectoralis “paddle” myocutaneous flaps: The workhorse of head and neck reconstruction

The pectoralis paddle myocutaneous flap is extremely dependable and provides an added advantage of covering the vital structures of the neck with adequate length without excessive bulk. The donor defect is more acceptable than any we have previously encountered. The use of this skin muscle paddle in irradiated necks has distinct advantages. In addition, the ability to carry bony segments for use in mandibular reconstruction proved a distinct advantage in the two cases in which it was used.

Cancer of the Floor of the Mouth and Buccal Cavity

The ability of the surgeon to use the entire armamentarium of reconstructive techniques is essential in head and neck reconstruction. Each modality has its advantages and disadvantages. The decision of which technique to use is, of course, left to the individual surgeons best judgment. Many new ideas will be explored in the future as the challenge of reconstruction awaits the perfect answer.