Abstract: Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap for Repairing Large Tissue Defects Caused by Surgeryfor Oro-pharyngeal CancerZhiping WANG, Weijian AI, Jianjiang ZHAO, Junfa ZHENG, Shuguang LIU, Huixi ZHOU, Xiuwen LUAN, Zhiqiang LICorrespondence to: Jianjiang ZHAO, E-mail: zjj2521@sina.comGuangdong Provincial Stomatology Hospital, Stomatology Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Guangzhou510280, ChinaThis work was supported by 2006 National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.30672340), Guangdong Scientific andTechnological Project (No. 2008B030301183) and Medical Research Fund of Guangdong Province (No.A2009097）Abstract Objective: To summarize the value of the island myocutaneous flap using a major pectoral muscle appliedfor large tissue defects after surgery for oro-pharyngeal cancer. Methods: In our hospital, 51 patients with oro-pharyngealcancer had surgery in the last three years. Pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps were prepared and applied to synchro-nously repair the large soft tissue defects. The reconstruction size ranged from 7cm × 5cm to 8cm × 12cm and the length ofthe pedicle was from 12cm to 17cm. Data from the surgery including defect description, size of the myocutaneous flap andcomplications were collected. Results: All patients recovered well after surgery. In 43 of the 51 cases, pectoralis major myo-cutaneous flaps were completely alive. In the other 8 cases, partial flap necrosis at the distal end occurred in 7 cases andnecrosis of the total myocutaneous flap was found in one case, but the pedicle at the neck was fine. Vocal and swallowingfunctions were recovered well in all cases. Pneumothorax occurred in one case during surgery. Four patients had subcuta-neous emphysema after surgery. Five patients suffered from other complications, but the symptoms were controllable. Allpatients were followed up for 6 to 36 months. Eight patients died within 18 months postoperatively from recurrence. Conclu?sion: Pectoralis major myocutaneous flap can be used for repairing the defects from surgery in the oro-pharyngeal regionimmediately. It is safe and reliable, due to the excellent blood supply and abundant tissue. It can be used in patients with apoor vascular status or advanced age.Keywords Oro-pharyngeal cancer; Pectoralis major myocutaneous flap;Tissue defect;Reconstruction