[The use of the platysma and the skin of the neck as a myocutaneous flap in reconstructing cheek defects. Technic and results apropos of 5 cases].

Skin defects of the cheek are commonly the result of a radical surgical resection of extensive neoplasms of the parotid gland, the mandible or the skin, such as melanomas and squamous cell carcinomas. For the reconstruction of these defects, we have devised a myocutaneous flap which enables us to perform a radical neck dissection at the same operation. The transposed flap which involves the cervical skin, the platysma muscle and the superficial cervical fascia, has a wide pedicle on the lateral and dorsal side of the neck near the upper border of the Trapezius muscle. The border of the flap runs from the distal part of the defect and travels parallel and close to the midline of the neck down to the middle of the sternum. The border of the flap runs parallel and nearly 3-4 cm below the clavicle and as far as its acromial end. The advantages of this flap are: 1) better operative field for radical neck dissection; 2) good vascularization; 3) does not prolong the operative time; 4) does not need any "delay" procedure; 5) gives a good functional and cosmetic result, as it covers; the thickness of the cheek defect as well as protecting the neurovascular bundle of the neck.