Supraclavicular artery island flap (SCAIF) in head and neck reconstruction

Supraclavicular Artery Island Flap (SCAIF) is a pedicled fasciocutaneous flap based on the supraclavicular artery and vein. Originally, SCAIF had been used for surgery on post-burn scars. However, it gradually came to be used for reconstruction after head and neck cancer resection. Although it has been shown as useful in foreign countries, there were no reports in Japan.

We used SCAIFs for reconstruction after head and neck cancer resection in four cases. The time for harvesting the flap was about one hour and the donor site could be primarily closed. Only head and neck surgeons participated in the surgery, but it was not so difficult to harvest SCAIFs for surgeons experienced in harvesting various flaps.

As a result, there were no flap failures in this series; however, one case experienced salivary leak, but this was managed via DP flap onlay. All of the patients could resume an oral diet without gastric tube supplementation.

Therefore, we consider that SCAIF can be one of the options available for reconstruction after head and neck cancer resection.