Subpectoral gliding tissue flap.

Abstract

By cadaver dissection, the anatomy of the connective tissue between the pectoralis major and the pectoralis minor muscle was studied. The possibility of creating a pedicled flap of gliding tissue based on the pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial artery was confirmed. The clinical relevance of this tissue was defined in nine patients. To avoid recurrent fibrosis after neurolysis of the structures of the brachial plexus in patients with recurrent pain syndromes, the envelopment of the neurolyzed nerves by a subpectoral gliding tissue flap was carried out and was successful in eight cases. After the transposition of the subpectoral gliding tissue flap, the remaining pectoralis major muscle showed only a small partial atrophy in the clavicular segment without any functional impairment; this was confirmed by physical examination and by electromyogram.