T-shaped Pectoralis Major Musculocutaneous Flap for Reconstruction of an Extensive Circumferential Pharyngeal Defect

In the era of free-flap transfer, the pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap still plays a unique role in head and neck reconstruction. We report on a patient with a recurrent hypopharyngeal carcinoma after total pharyngolaryngectomy and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy in whom defects included a circumferential defect of the oropharynx and the entire tongue. The defects were successfully reconstructed with a T-shaped pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap whose skin island included multiple intercostal perforators from the internal mammary vessels. This flap design is effective for reconstructing circumferential pharyngeal defects in vessel-depleted neck.