Abstract

During the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer, temporary tracheotomy is often required. After the tracheotomy is closed, peritracheostomal tissue defect or tracheocutaneous fistula may occur in selected cases. The non-healing defects despite surgical debridement require reconstruction by local flaps. Deltopectoral flap (DPF) that has been used in head and neck reconstruction for a long time has been currently neglected. Indeed, DPF is an easy and safe flap with low morbidity and provides a flexible and thin tissue for the reconstruction of skin defects in the neck. In this study, we present the use of DPF in the reconstruction of a tracheocutaneous fistula developed after partial laryngectomy with temporary tracheotomy and adjuvant radiotherapy and discuss the applicability of the DPF in the reconstruction of skin defects in the neck.