Pectoralis major muscle flap was used alone or mostly combined with rectus muscle
or omentum to cover the whole sternal defect.[1]
[2]
[3] Disadvantages are additional abdominal incisions, herniation of bowel, introducing
infection to abdominal cavity. D. A. Staffenberg introduced “Rotation-Advancement
Split Pectoralis (RASP) major muscle turnover flap” technique for median sternotomy
wound dehiscence.[4] In his technique, one-side split pectoralis major muscle flap was turned over based
on internal mammary artery perforators and the other side pectoralis muscle flap advanced
to the defect based on thoracoacromial pedicle. In our technique, we modified the
split pectoralis muscle upper flap that was islanded based on the thoracoacromial
pedicle to achieve more mobilization, less bulging contour deformity, and use the
dominant blood supply.
Before harvesting, which side of the internal mammary artery is used for revascularization
of coronary arteries in case of post-CABG should be confirmed. Advancement pectoralis
flap was designed on the side of the internal mammary artery harvested side. On the
opposite side, split pectoralis muscle flap was designed ([Fig. 1]). The procedure was started with thorough debridement and sternal wire removal.
Fig. 1 Diagrammatic image of flap design.
For split pectoralis major muscle flap harvest, the dissection was carried through
sternotomy defect laterally on the superficial surface of the pectoralis major muscle
to anterior axillary line superiorly up to 2 cm below to the clavicle and inferiorly
up to the rectus sheath. Inferolateral border of the muscle was identified and insertion
divided. If necessary small incision can be placed at the anterior axillary region
to access the muscle insertion for division. The muscle was split along its fibers
([Fig. 2A], [2B]), careful avoiding injury to the pectoral branch vessel. The upper flap was islanded
based on a pectoral branch by dividing all attachments of muscle. The lower half of
the muscle was dissected from lateral to medial in the subpectoral space until internal
mammary perforators (stopping 1 cm lateral to the internal mammary perforators), which
nourish the lower half of the muscle. The upper flap was advanced, and the lower flap
turned over to the defect.
Fig. 2 (A) marking for split pectoralis major muscle flap. (B) Upper and lower split pectoralis major muscle flap.
For harvest advancement pectoralis muscle flap (based on thoracoacromial vessels),
the dissection was carried out through the sternotomy wound to laterally on the surface
of muscle. Subpectoral space dissection was performed medially from the inferolateral
border to the defect, superiorly up to the pectoral muscle pedicle, and inferiorly
up to the rectus sheath. The flap was advanced medially to cover the middle and upper
one-third defect.
Both side flaps were mobilized to the midline sternotomy defect ([Fig. 3]), the split lower flap used to cover the lower third defect, the upper flap to cover
the upper third defect and sutured with contralateral advancement muscle flap and
also with the underlying sternum ([Fig. 4]). Negative pressure suction drains were placed between flaps and also subcutaneous
space. The skin wound can be closed by staples or sutures.
Fig. 3 All flaps mobilized to defect.
Fig. 4 Final inset of the flaps.
Anterior axillary fold contour deformity, bulge at the turnover point are the disadvantages
of our technique. The limitation of the technique is patients with bilateral internal
mammary artery harvest, as perforators must be intact for lower turnover flap. We
suggest that using our technique, one can cover the whole sternal defect with split
and advancement pectoralis major muscle flaps without requirement of additional flaps.
