Supraclavicular Flap for Large Anterior Chest Wall Defects–A Road Less Travelled

Abstract

Large upper central chest wall defects are a reconstructive challenge. The commonly described flaps for this area do not provide very large skin paddle, and free tissue transfer remains the only option for large skin defects. Supraclavicular flap as a local flap is widely used for head and neck reconstruction and has been described for upper chest wall defects earlier. We have used nonislanded supraclavicular flap for reconstruction of two cases of large chest wall defects, which would otherwise need free tissue transfer, single flap in one case and bilateral flaps in the other. It is easy to do and has minimal morbidity. Supraclavicular flap offers a simple solution for large skin defects of the upper central chest wall and is especially useful in patients with high-operative risk and guarded prognosis.

Keywords

• pedicle flap
• upper central chest wall reconstruction
• supraclavicular flap