Reconstruction of large defects of the neck using an extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap following salvage surgery for neck recurrence of oral carcinoma

SummaryThis article describes the extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap for reconstructing large defects of the neck. A total of 11 patients with neck recurrence of oral carcinoma were treated using salvage surgery and an extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap based on the transverse cervical artery was used to repair the large defect in the neck. No major flap failure occurred. No disabilities were observed in terms of shoulder motion. The patients were followed up for 6–22 months. Four patients developed local recurrence: two of them are still alive with the disease and two have died. The extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap is a large, simple and reliable flap, which is a salvage flap preferred for reconstructing large defects of the neck following the ablation of neck recurrence of oral carcinoma.