Reconstruction of defects following ablative surgery for oral cavity cancer remains one of the most complex challenges in head and neck surgery. Although microvascular free flaps are currently considered the gold standard for mandibular reconstruction, regional pedicled flaps such as the pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC) flap continue to play an important role in selected patients. We report the case of an 82-year-old female diagnosed with moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the inferior alveolar ridge (T4aN2bM0), who underwent segmental mandibulectomy with bilateral neck dissection, tracheostomy, and reconstruction using a left PMMC flap. The flap provided reliable soft tissue coverage and restoration of oral cavity continuity following tumor resection. This case highlights the continued relevance of the PMMC flap in modern head and neck reconstruction, particularly in elderly patients or those with comorbidities that limit the use of microvascular reconstruction.
Karim D García (Wed,) studied this question.