Reconstruction of complex posterior cervical spine wounds using the paraspinous muscle flap.

Abstract

The paraspinous muscle flap is often overlooked for use in cervical wounds, as surgeons cite the decreased size and mobility of the muscles in the cervical region. The purpose of this article is to introduce the paraspinous muscle flap technique for reconstruction of cervical spine wounds. An 11-year, single-institution, retrospective chart review was performed on 14 consecutive patients from 1996 to 2007. All patients underwent paraspinous muscle flap surgery to provide soft-tissue coverage of the cervical spine following wound healing complications resulting in exposed hardware or bone. Variables of interest included demographics, comorbidities, and postreconstruction wound healing complications. The overall complication rate after paraspinous muscle flap surgery was low [two of 14 (14 percent)] and consisted of two minor wound infections. There was no postreconstruction seroma, a well-known complication of the trapezius muscle flap, which is often thought of as the first-line option for posterior cervical soft-tissue reconstruction. The paraspinous muscle flap is an expeditious and reliable solution to complex cervical spine wounds. Therapeutic, IV.(Figure is included in full-text article.).