Biomaterial Database

An unusual complication of the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. 1984

J O Donegan, and J L Gluckman

The development of myocutaneous flaps has been a major advance in reconstructive surgery of the head and neck. The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap has proven to be the most reliable and versatile for use in this area. There have been several reports of its advantages with few complications noted. This article reports two patients who developed osteomyelitis of the rib in the donor area of the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. The etiology of this potentially serious complication is discussed and the management is outlined.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D009960	Oropharynx	The middle portion of the pharynx that lies posterior to the mouth, inferior to the SOFT PALATE, and superior to the base of the tongue and EPIGLOTTIS. It has a digestive function as food passes from the mouth into the oropharynx before entering ESOPHAGUS.	Oropharynxs
D010019	Osteomyelitis	INFLAMMATION of the bone as a result of infection. It may be caused by a variety of infectious agents, especially pyogenic (PUS - producing) BACTERIA.	Osteomyelitides
D010369	Pectoralis Muscles	The pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles that make up the upper and fore part of the chest in front of the AXILLA.	Pectoralis Major,Pectoralis Major Muscle,Pectoralis Minor,Pectoralis Minor Muscle,Pectoral Muscle,Muscle, Pectoral,Muscle, Pectoralis,Muscle, Pectoralis Major,Muscle, Pectoralis Minor,Muscles, Pectoralis Major,Pectoral Muscles,Pectoralis Major Muscles,Pectoralis Majors,Pectoralis Minor Muscles,Pectoralis Minors,Pectoralis Muscle
D010614	Pharynx	A funnel-shaped fibromuscular tube that conducts food to the ESOPHAGUS, and air to the LARYNX and LUNGS. It is located posterior to the NASAL CAVITY; ORAL CAVITY; and LARYNX, and extends from the SKULL BASE to the inferior border of the CRICOID CARTILAGE anteriorly and to the inferior border of the C6 vertebra posteriorly. It is divided into the NASOPHARYNX; OROPHARYNX; and HYPOPHARYNX (laryngopharynx).	Throat,Pharynxs,Throats
D011183	Postoperative Complications	Pathologic processes that affect patients after a surgical procedure. They may or may not be related to the disease for which the surgery was done, and they may or may not be direct results of the surgery.	Complication, Postoperative,Complications, Postoperative,Postoperative Complication
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012272	Ribs	A set of twelve curved bones which connect to the vertebral column posteriorly, and terminate anteriorly as costal cartilage. Together, they form a protective cage around the internal thoracic organs.	Rib
D013524	Surgical Flaps	Tongues of skin and subcutaneous tissue, sometimes including muscle, cut away from the underlying parts but often still attached at one end. They retain their own microvasculature which is also transferred to the new site. They are often used in plastic surgery for filling a defect in a neighboring region.	Island Flap,Island Flaps,Flap, Surgical,Flaps, Surgical,Pedicled Flap,Surgical Flap,Flap, Island,Flap, Pedicled,Flaps, Island,Flaps, Pedicled,Pedicled Flaps