Repair of cervical postradiation ulcer following radical mastectomy with lower trapezius myocutaneous flap

Objective To explore the clinical effects of ipsilateral lower trapezius myocutaneous flap for repairing cervical ulcer as a result of radiotherapy after radical mastectomy. Methods Six patients with cervical ulcers as a result of radiotherapy after radical mastectomy were hospitalized from March 2010 to February 2015, suffering from persistent pain in different degrees. The wound area ranged from 6 cm×4 cm to 10 cm×6 cm before debridement, 8 cm×5 cm to 16 cm×10 cm after debridement. Ipsilateral lower trapezius myocutaneous flap was used to repair the wound after thorough debridement, with the area ranging from 10 cm×7 cm to 20 cm×13 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly or covered with medium-thickness skin graft obtained from the back. Results Pain was obviously relieved in all the patients 2 days after surgery. The wounds in five patients were healed, while necrosis of superficial skin approximately 1 cm in diameter appeared at the distal end of one myocutaneous flap, and it healed after dressing change. During the follow-up period of 3 to 18 months, no recurrence of ulcer was found, the texture of the myocutaneous flaps was soft with good appearance, and the donor sites healed well. Conclusions On the basis of thorough debridement, it is feasible to repair the cervical ulcer as a result of radiotherapy after radical mastectomy with the ipsilateral lower trapezius myocutaneous flap.