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Use of a Sternocleidomastoid Myocutaneous Flap Based on the Sternocleidomastoid Branch of the Superior Thyroid Artery to Reconstruct Extensive Cheek Defects

  • Case Report
  • General Reconstruction
  • Published:
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Reconstruction of head and neck defects has always been challenging due to functional and cosmetic concerns. Although sternocleidomastoid (SCM) flaps have been used for many head and neck defects, use of an SCM flap to reconstruct a cheek defect based only on the superior thyroid artery has not been reported previously.

Case Report

The case of a 40-year-old farmer with a large full-thickness cheek squamous cell carcinoma is reported. An SCM myocutaneous flap based on the SCM branch of the superior thyroid artery was used.

Conclusion

An SCM myocutaneous flap is a valuable option for head and neck reconstructions with reasonable aesthetic results. For properly selected cases, this flap obviates the need to use the pectoralis major or other more distant flaps.

Level of Evidence V

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sinus and Surgical Endoscopic Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Ahmadabad Avenue, Mashhad, Iran

    Kamran Khazaeni & Mohsen Rajati

  2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Aye Shahabi

  3. Department of Anesthesiology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Leila Mashhadi

Authors
  1. Kamran Khazaeni
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  2. Mohsen Rajati
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  3. Aye Shahabi
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  4. Leila Mashhadi
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Correspondence to Mohsen Rajati.

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Khazaeni, K., Rajati, M., Shahabi, A. et al. Use of a Sternocleidomastoid Myocutaneous Flap Based on the Sternocleidomastoid Branch of the Superior Thyroid Artery to Reconstruct Extensive Cheek Defects. Aesth Plast Surg 37, 1167–1170 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-013-0216-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-013-0216-z

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