Anatomical study and modified incision of the infrahyoid myocutaneous flap

Infrahyoid myocutaneous flap in head and neck reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyse the literature on the infrahyoid myocutaneous flap (IHMCF) and evaluate its clinical outcomes. The MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases were searched (inception to December 31, 2021). Meta-analyses were then conducted to estimate the overall rates of partial flap loss, total flap loss, salivary fistula, and surgical revision. The 21 studies that met the inclusion criteria included 768 patients undergoing head and neck reconstruction with 773 IHMCF. The oral cavity (77.7%) and oropharynx (13.0%) were the most reconstructed sites. The meta-analyses estimated a pooled partial flap loss rate of 10.4% (99% confidence interval (CI) 5.4-16.7%), total loss rate of 1.8% (99% CI 0.8-3.2%), salivary fistula rate of 3.0% (99% CI 1.3-5.3%), and surgical revision rate of 1.9% (99% CI 0.7-3.7%). Fast flap harvesting and low donor site morbidity were other flap features. Previous thyroid surgery or neck dissection and advanced lymph nodal stage were considered contraindications to IHMCF reconstruction by most authors, while prior neck radiotherapy was reported as a relative contraindication. This pedicled cervical flap is a versatile and reliable reconstructive option for medium-sized head and neck defects. Careful preoperative assessment of the neck condition allows for its safe use.

Infrahyoid myocutaneous flap: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

The infrahyoid myocutaneous flap (IHMCF) is an often-overlooked flap of the anterior neck used for reconstruction of oral cavity and laryngopharyngeal defects. The primary goal of this systematic review is to evaluate the postoperative outcomes and efficacy of this flap.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of PubMed, Biological Abstracts, CINAHL Plus, and Web of Science was conducted. Two researchers independently scrutinized the studies to determine inclusions based on relevance, sample size, and English language publications.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies containing 1027 IHMCF cases met the inclusion criteria. Primary outcomes included flap necrosis and postoperative functional outcomes. The rate of flap survival was 99%. Total skin necrosis and partial skin necrosis were minor complications that occurred in 2.5% and 5.8% of cases respectively. Poor speech and swallowing outcomes were reported in 6.4% and 6.5% of cases respectively. The included studies were predominantly retrospective. An average MINORS score of 9.6 suggests moderate bias among the studies.

CONCLUSIONS

The IHMCF is both safe and effective for repairing medium sized mucosal lesions of the head and neck region in carefully selected patients. IHMCF use in oral cavity reconstruction is particularly appealing although functional outcomes remain difficult to statistically assess. Complications of IHMCFs are rare and often minor. To ensure the best outcome, pre-surgical planning needs to be conducted and all contraindications should be respected. Further large prospective multi-centered trials are needed for more accurate analysis.

A novel application of superior thyroid artery perforator flaps for medium-sized intraoral reconstructions: Retrospective analysis of 12 cases

BACKGROUND

To describe the indications, technique, and preliminary experience in the application of the superior thyroid artery perforator flap (STAPF) for the reconstruction of various medium-sized intraoral defects.

METHODS

From September 2018 to September 2019, 12 consecutive cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma underwent reconstruction with a STAPF. Clinical details were collected, and postoperative function was analyzed.

RESULTS

The venous drainage of the STAPF is variable with drainage into the internal jugular vein in six cases, into both the internal and external jugular veins in four cases, and into the external jugular vein in two cases. Ten cases were harvested as pedicled flaps, while two cases required a venous anastomosis due to inadequate length of the venous pedicle. Ten flaps survived completely, whereas two flaps had partial necrosis that ultimately resolved with secondary healing.

CONCLUSIONS

STAPF is a reliable method for the reconstruction of medium-sized intraoral defects.

New approach to an overlooked flap: Technique to augment venous drainage of the infrahyoid myocutaneous flap

BACKGROUND

To describe a technique in which the anterior jugular vein is preserved in the infrahyoid myocutaneous flap (IHMCF) to augment skin paddle venous drainage.

METHODS

From April 2018 to December 2019, 14 patients with primary oral cancer underwent radical resection and IHMCF reconstruction. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the anterior jugular vein was used to assess the venous drainage of the skin paddle preoperatively. The anterior jugular vein was preserved during dissection of the flap. Healing of the recipient and donor sites was observed.

RESULTS

Total flap necrosis occurred in one patient and marginal skin paddle necrosis occurred in one patient. No flap complications occurred in the other 12 patients.

CONCLUSION

This new approach to augment venous drainage of the IHMCF appears to be effective for decreasing risk of flap necrosis.

Neurotized Free Platysma Flap for Functional Eyelid Reconstruction: A Cadaveric Study of Anatomical Feasibility

BACKGROUND

Conventional reconstructive options for large full-thickness eyelid defects are limited to static local flaps without replacing the missing orbicularis. The authors' aim is to delineate the platysma neurovascular anatomy for innervated functional eyelid reconstruction.

METHODS

Fourteen fresh latex-injected heminecks were dissected. The locations where neurovascular structures entered the platysma muscles were expressed as the percentage distance ± SD from the sternocleidomastoid muscle mastoid insertion to manubrium origin.

RESULTS

The superior thyroid, facial, and lingual vessels were the major pedicles in eight of 14 (57.1 percent), four of 14 (28.6 percent), and one of 14 specimens (7.1 percent), respectively. In one specimen (7.1 percent), both the superior thyroid and facial vessels supplied a major pedicle. Venous drainage generally mirrored arterial inflow but was redundant, with 43 percent and 14 percent of flaps also with major contributions from the external jugular and anterior jugular veins, respectively. Neurovascular pedicles entered the platysma 28 to 57 percent caudal to the sternocleidomastoid muscle mastoid insertion, between 0.5 and 4.8 cm anterior to the medial sternocleidomastoid muscle border.

CONCLUSION

Although variability exists, platysma neurovascular pedicles enter at predictable locations between 28 and 57 percent of the distance from the mastoid insertion of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, therefore making free platysma transfer a feasible option for eyelid reconstruction.

Modified Infrahyoid Myocutaneous Flap for Laryngopharyngeal Reconstruction

The laryngopharyngeal reconstruction in patients with pyriform sinus carcinoma continues to be a challenge for surgeons. In this article, we describe our experience with laryngopharyngeal reconstruction in patients with pyriform sinus carcinoma using the modified infrahyoid myocutaneous flap (IHMCF). The modified incision design for the modified IHMCF and clinical outcomes are also detailed here. Between January 2012 and February 2018, 10 patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent laryngopharyngeal reconstruction using the modified IHMCF after hemicricolaryngopharyngectomy were included in this study. The drainage vessels of the modified IHMCF, oncological outcomes, and functional reservation of the larynx were recorded. All of the flaps survived well. No flap necrosis or other major complications occurred during follow-up. None of the patients remained on nasogastric feeding for more than 4 weeks postoperatively. The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 73 months (mean, 36 months). In our series, 6 patients were successfully decannulated and 5 had received radiation therapy. We roughly assessed the speech and swallowing functions, and the outcomes seemed acceptable in all of the patients after surgery. Laryngoscopic examination showed that the modified IHMCF survived well and the new glottis provided excellent function and good ventilation results. In our experience, the modified IHMCF is a safe and viable procedure that can serve as a valid alternative to free flaps and the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap to reconstruct laryngopharyngeal defects.

The infrahyoid myocutaneous flap for reconstruction after oral cancer resection: A retrospective single-surgeon study

Objective

To review our experience with infrahyoid myocutaneous flap in reconstruction after oral cancer resection.

Methods

Chart reviews were completed for all patients who underwent oral reconstruction with an infrahyoid myocutaneous flap by a single surgeon in the Department of Otolaryngology at Chonburi Cancer Hospital from 2011 to 2017. Characteristics of the patients and postoperative complications were analyzed.

Results

Of the 34 patients in the study, 10 (29.4%) developed partial flap loss and 1 (2.9%) developed total flap loss. All cases of partial flap loss resolved with conservative treatment. Apparent cancer involvement of a cervical lymph node was significantly associated with flap failure (odds ratio: 5.0, 95% CI: 1.03-24.28).

Conclusions

The infrahyoid myocutaneous flap is a fairly reliable reconstruction method. The flap should be performed with caution in cases with gross lymph node involvement.

Infrahyoid flap in oropharyngeal reconstruction following carcinoma resection: A study of 6 patients and literature review

The present study aimed to describe the techniques used and the results obtained with the infrahyoid flap for the reconstruction of medium-sized oropharyngeal defects following resection for advanced squamous cell cancer. During a period of 1 year, six patients with oropharyngeal defects were reconstructed using the infrahyoid flap. The tumor characteristics, location and size of the defect, resective and reconstructive techniques employed and the complications and outcomes of the speech and swallowing functions, as identified in the follow-up visits every 3 months, were evaluated. All flaps were performed simultaneously in association with tumoral excision and ipsilateral supraomohyoid neck dissection. The mean size of the skin paddle was 7.0×3.5 cm. The donor site was primarily sutured. The postoperative course was uneventful and all flaps were viable. One case of marginal skin paddle loss occurred without affecting the survival of the flap. Five patients received postoperative radiotherapy and one patient received concurrent postoperative chemotherapy. During the follow-up period (mean, 63 months), all patients showed excellent oral swallowing. Speech was excellent in five patients and in one patient speech was classified as good. The aesthetic results of the cervical donor site were good. Based on the present case report and the literature review, the infrahyoid flap is a simple and safe procedure for the reconstruction of the oropharynx, with a high success rate, minimal donor site morbidity and good aesthetic and functional results. The infrahyoid flap is a valid surgical option that may be considered in selected oncological patients undergoing reconstruction of medium-size oropharyngeal defects.

The infrahyoid flap: a comprehensive review of an often overlooked reconstructive method

The infrahyoid flap is a myocutaneous pedicled flap mainly nourished by the superior thyroid vessels through the perforators of the infrahyoid muscles. This thin and pliable flap provides a skin island of about 7 by 4 cm from the central part of the anterior neck. The flap can be transferred on its pedicle of superior thyroid artery and vein to reconstruct medium sized head and neck defects created after cancer ablation. We have successfully used this flap in a series of 40 cases with no total flap loss and with 1 case of superficial skin necrosis. The aim of this review is to highlight the clinical usefulness of this pedicled flap even in the microvascular free flap era. A comprehensive review of the available literature reporting on the infrahyoid flap has been carried out using a web search. The history of the infrahyoid flap, the surgical technique with technical innovations, the clinical utility and limitations of this flap, are reported and discussed. Among the 7 larger series (cohort larger than 50 cases) a total of 956 flaps were performed, and the global success rate was 91.7%, with failures being mainly related to partial skin necrosis, as the rate of total (skin and muscle) flap necrosis was only 1%. This flap is reliable, easy to harvest during neck dissection, oncologically safe, it does carry a negligible donor site morbidity. This paper highlights how the infrahyoid flap can represent an excellent reconstructive solution in selected patients and head and neck sites.