Myocutaneous flaps in general surgery.

In recent developments in the repair of large surgical defects where simple flap rotation may have been previously employed, myocutaneous flaps are being used because of functional advantages and to decrease the number of reconstructive procedures. The authors have employed myocutaneous flaps in 40 cases from January 1980 until April 1985 at Presbyterian Medical Center in Chonju. The primary disease was malignant in 31 cases and benign in 9 cases. Seven types of flaps were employed: The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (20 cases); the trapezius myocutaneous flap (12 cases); the latissimus dorsi flap (2 cases); an osteomyocutaneous flap employing the sternocleidomastoid and clavicle (1 case); the gracilis myocutaneous flap (3 cases); the gluteus maximums myocutaneous flap (1 case); and a tensor fascia lata flap in one case. In more than 75% the skin island survived and an eventually successful result was obtained in 35 cases (87.5%).