eMedicine Specialties > Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery > Reconstructive Surgery

Free Tissue Transfer, Scapular and Parascapular Flaps: Follow-up

Author: Jason H Kim, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California at Irvine
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Nov 4, 2008

Outcome and Prognosis

The scapular/parascapular donor site is unsurpassed in the variability of tissue available for reconstructing complex defects of the head and neck, particularly through-and-through oromandibular and large palatomaxillary defects. Bone, skin, fascia, and muscle are available to the reconstructive surgeon. The ease of harvest, reliability, and limited morbidity associated with the use of this flap make it a desirable donor site in select patients. The disadvantages are few, including the need for repositioning the patient, lack of sensation in the flap, and limited bone stock for osseointegration, particularly in females. Every reconstructive surgeon should be familiar with this important donor site for head and neck reconstruction.

 
Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author Derrick Wallace, MD, to the development and writing of this article.



More on Free Tissue Transfer, Scapular and Parascapular Flaps

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Follow-up: Free Tissue Transfer, Scapular and Parascapular Flaps
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References
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Further Reading

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Keywords

free tissue transfer, scapular flap, parascapular flap, dorsal thoracic fascial flap, tissue flaps, free tissue, circumflex scapular artery, CSA

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Jason H Kim, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California at Irvine
Jason H Kim, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

John C Li, MD, Private Practice in Otology and Neurotology; Medical Director, Balance Center
John C Li, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Neurotology Society, American Tinnitus Association, Florida Medical Association, and North American Skull Base Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Dominique Dorion, MD, MSc, FRCSC, Program Director and Division Chair, Professor of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, University of Sherbrooke, Canada
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Christopher L Slack, MD, Otolaryngology-Facial Plastic Surgery, Private Practice, Associated Coastal ENT; Medical Director, Treasure Coast Sleep Disorders
Christopher L Slack, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA, Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Head and Neck Society
Disclosure: Covidien Corp Consulting fee Consulting; US Tobacco Corporation unstricted gift unknown

 
 
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