Experiences with the deltopectoral flap in reconstructive surgery of the head and neck.

Despite the development of many alternative methods of reconstruction in head and neck surgery, the deltopectoral skin flap still remains a useful method in our armamentarium. Its use as a nondelayed procedure in 44 patients with various defects in the head and neck following tumor surgery is discussed. The reliability of the deltopectoral flap is evaluated. Major necrosis of the flap occurred in 6 (13.6%) of our patients. As to the cause of failure, more than one factor could be identified in the individual patient. However, the failure rate was higher when the flap was used in the reconstruction of defects in the anterior part of the oral cavity, particularly the floor of the mouth, than at other sites in the head and neck.