Use of a sternocleidomastoid muscle flap to protect the carotid artery during laryngectomy

J Laryngol Otol. 2021 May 12:1-4. doi: 10.1017/S0022215121001249. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTOBJECTIVES: This paper describes a simple method of securing tissue coverage of the great vessels at the initial surgery by rotating the divided sternal heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, a routine step during laryngectomy, and approximating them to the prevertebral fascia. The paper presents an illustrated case example where this technique in a salvage laryngectomy repair resulted in a protected vascular axis following a salivary leak.RESULTS: Since utilising this technique, there has been a marked reduction in the requirement of subsequent flap procedures to protect vessels, and no episodes of threatened or actual carotid blowout.PMID:33975660 | DOI:10.1017/S0022215121001249

Source: Journal of Laryngology and Otology - May 12, 2021 Category: ENT & OMF Authors: J C Fleming A R Fuson H Jeyarajan C M Thomas B Greene Source Type: research