Use of the Supraclavicular Artery Island Flap for Reconstruction of Cervicofacial Defects

Objectives:Describe the supraclavicular artery island (SAI) flap as an alternative flap for reconstruction of cervico-facial defects.Methods:Retrospective chart review in an academic, tertiary referral center of our first 18 consecutive patients undergoing SAI flap reconstruction for cervico-facial defects between 2010-2012. Outcome measures included size and location of the defect, time to raise the flap, flap size and viability, and complications. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS 9.1.Results:Defects of the temporal bone (n=5), and cervical skin (n=13) were reconstructed. Mean flap width was 6.1cm (range 5-9cm). Mean flap length was 21.7 cm (range 16-28cm), with the proximal portion of the flap de-epithelialized to match the defect resulting in a mean skin paddle length of 10.3 cm (range 5-18cm). Minor donor site dehiscence occurred in 2 patients. Partial skin flap necrosis occurred in 2 patients, while 1 patient had complete loss of the skin paddle. There was a significant correlation betwee...