Parascapular free flaps in skin malignancies.

Abstract

This study was a retrospective review of a case series of nine patients, aged 40 to 83 years, presenting to the head and neck cancer department at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, with a diagnosis of head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), requiring reconstruction after surgical resection. In this group of patients, parascapular fasciocutaneous free flaps proved to be a safe, reliable, and cosmetically effective choice for reconstruction of head and neck skin cancer defects. Choosing donor tissue from a relatively non-sun exposed area can prevent potential development of new malignancies that may arise from donor sites using sun-exposed skin. We discuss the benefits and versatility of the parascapular fasciocutaneous free flap and our experience in using this flap to reconstruct complex surgical defects.