Pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap: a new flap in head and neck reconstruction.

The pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap described by Ariyan has great potential in single stage reconstructions of the head and neck. The advantages of the flap are greater length, improved vascularity, bulk, and one-stage reconstruction of oropharyngeal defects. The flap was used successfully in eight patients to reconstruct large defects in the head and neck area. Experience to date indicates that this flap has greater versatility than the deltopectoral flap in one-stage head and neck reconstructions.