Impact of Internal Mammary Artery Perforator Propeller Flap in Neck Resurfacing and Fistula Closure After Salvage Larynx Cancer Surgery: Our Experience

Background: Salvage total laryngectomy (TL) and laryngopharyngectomy (LP) after chemoradiotherapy may produce disfiguring defects with severe complications that require complex reconstructions.

Methods: Between January 2012 and December 2018, we enrolled 25 patients who underwent internal mammary artery perforator (IMAP) flap reconstruction after salvage TL or LP. We performed retrospective review of clinical charts to collect information such as history, timing of reconstruction, type of defect, follow-up, donor and recipient site complications, and overall flap survival (OFS) rate. Three years overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) were calculated.

Results: The OFS rate was 95%. One partial flap necrosis was recorded. No donor-site complications were found. The mean follow-up was 18 months. Three years OS was 44%, RFS was 47%, and DSS was 54%.

Conclusions: IMAP flap appears to be safe, versatile, and easy to harvest, with minimal donor site morbidity. It is a reliable option in Head&Neck reconstruction, in salvage surgery as well.