We present what we believe to be the first case series in which the teres major muscle is used as a free flap in head and neck reconstruction.
To describe our experience with the teres major muscle in free flap reconstruction of head and neck defects and to identify advantages of this approach.
A retrospective review was performed at 2 tertiary care centers between February 1, 2007, and June 30, 2012. Data analysis was conducted from July 31, 2014, through December 1, 2014.
Teres major muscle free flap for use in head and neck reconstruction.
Indications for use, complications, and outcomes including donor site morbidity.
The teres major free flap was used in 11 patients as a component of chimeric subscapular system free flaps for a variety of complex head and neck defects. The teres major muscle was used to fill soft-tissue defects of the neck, face, and nasal cavity; it provided substantial soft-tissue volume but was less bulky than the latissimus dorsi muscle. The teres major muscle was also used to provide protection for vascular anastomoses and/or great vessels and to enhance soft-tissue coverage of the mandibular reconstruction plate. In addition, the muscle was selected as a substrate for skin grafting where inadequate neck skin remained. Flap survival occurred in 10 of 11 flaps (91%). Two flaps (18%) demonstrated venous congestion that was managed successfully. Two patients (18%) developed minor recipient-site complications (submental fistula and infection with recurrent wound dehiscence and plate exposure). All donor sites healed well, with chronic, mild shoulder pain noted in 2 patients (18%) and no postoperative seromas observed in any patient.
Addition of the teres major muscle to a subscapular system free flap is an option for reconstruction of a variety of complex head and neck defects, particularly when a moderate amount of soft tissue is required. In select cases, the teres major muscle may have advantages over the latissimus dorsi muscle.
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Attention Score in Context
Attention Score in Context
This research output has an Altmetric Attention Score of 3. This is our high-level measure of the quality and quantity of online attention that it has received. This Attention Score, as well as the ranking and number of research outputs shown below, was calculated when the research output was last mentioned on 02 September 2015.
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#16,593,793
of 27,369,606 outputs
Outputs from JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery
#3,403
of 4,370 outputs
Outputs of similar age
#140,804
of 278,875 outputs
Outputs of similar age from JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery
#29
of 62 outputs
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