Supraclavicular artery island flap : Indications, feasibility & outcome for reconstruction after resection of head and neck cancers / Ehab Abdelkarim Mohammad Abdelmaksoud ; Supervised Ayman Abdelwahab Amin , Mohammed Ahmed Rifaat , Mohamed Hamdallah Zedan

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - National Cancer Institute - Department of Oncology (Surgical)

Reconstruction of the head and neck following tumor ablation can be very challenging. Not only is this true for the surgeon, but the functional and esthetic morbidity may greatly affect the patient{u2019}s quality of life.The disadvantages of local flaps and free flaps has necessitated the advancement of an axial flap that overcomes those disadvantages, dramatically reduces donor site morbidity while offering more versatile flaps that result in better outcomes. The supraclavicular artery island (SCAI) flap is a highly versatile flap with high success rates, acceptable dimensions, flexibility and acceptable donor site morbidity. It also has the advantages of easy harvest with shorter operative time when compared to radial forearm free flap (RFFF) and anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap which makes this flap more preferable in patients with multiple co-morbidities who cannot withstand major surgeries and whenever microsurgical facilities or expertise are not available. Also it overcomes the disadvantages of other axial flaps due to its similarity to head and neck skin regarding color and thickness, absence of hair content, large and flexible skin island that can be used as a double island flap. Harvesting the flap with the patient in the supine position facilitates simultaneous harvest and shortens operative time even more

Issued also as CD