What is a scapula free flap?

The scapula flap has been used extensively for oromandibular and oromaxillary reconstruction. The ability to three-dimensionally orient the bone with respect to the skin paddle has made it a popular flap choice in central facial, orbital, and maxillary reconstruction.

What is a free Osteocutaneous flap?

Definition. An osteocutaneous flap is a bone-containing flap with elements of skin, subcutaneous tissue, or fascia with a defined axial blood supply. Osteomusculocutaneous flaps have a muscle component in addition to the bone and skin.

What is the scapula tip?

The scapular tip and lateral border have a unique shape. The tip of the scapula is the shape of the maxillary infrastructure when inset in an axial plane.

What is a skin flap?

Expand Section. A skin flap is healthy skin and tissue that is partly detached and moved to cover a nearby wound. A skin flap may contain skin and fat, or skin, fat, and muscle. Often, a skin flap is still attached to its original site at one end and remains connected to a blood vessel.

Where is the scapular tip?

The ipsilateral shoulder is used for reconstruction of defects of the right or left mandible. The scapular tip is oriented posteriorly, with the dorsal surface of the scapula and the teres major muscle facing externally.

When to use the osteofasciocutaneous flap for reconstruction?

The osteofasciocutaneous flap remains a viable reconstructive option, particularly for composite defects in which skin, bone, and potential muscle, such as latissimus or serratus, are required on a single vascular pedicle. For routine mandibular reconstruction, the fibula flap is often preferred.

Is the scapula part of the subscapular system?

Pertinent Anatomy The scapula flap is a component of the subscapular system of flaps, which includes all tissues that may be harvested with the subscapular artery as the common vascular pedicle. The latissimus flap is another subscapular system flap and is discussed elsewhere.

Can a scapula be harvested from the dominant hand?

Relative contraindications include the need to reposition the patient for flap harvest, inability to perform simultaneous flap harvest and head and neck ablation, and the limited bone stock available in small females. The scapula flap should not be harvested from the side of the dominant hand if possible.

Are there any contraindications to the scapula flap?

Scapula flap specific contraindications include previous axillary or thoracic surgery in the region of intended flap harvest. Relative contraindications include the need to reposition the patient for flap harvest, inability to perform simultaneous flap harvest and head and neck ablation, and the limited bone stock available in small females.