Fracture of the Clavicle after Radical Neck Dissection, Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap and Postoperative Radiotherapy

Abstract

The treatment of head and neck cancer with radiotherapy and radical neck dissection has many well recognized complications. Radiotherapy in therapeutic doses can produce devascularization and weakening of bone. Radical neck dissection results in altered mechanics of the shoulder girdle and a normally balanced forces acting on the clavicle. However, there are no reports elaborating on the unusual case of clavicle fracture which is considered to have resulted from pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMCF). We reviewed 169 cases treated with radical neck dissection and 45 patients treated with PMMCF between 1992 and 1998, retrospectively. We could find three cases of clavicle fracture all of whom underwent radical neck dissection, PMMCF and postoperative radiotherapy on the side of fracture. The type of PMMCF was island PMMCF. Fractures were noted 1-3 years postoperatively and all fractures were noted on medial portion of the clavicle. Island type PMMCF was considered as one of the predisposing factors of clavicular fracture. Devascularization after stripping of periosteum and altered mechanics of the clavicle following resection of clavicular head of pectoralis major muscle may contribute to developing a rare complication in addition to the effect of radiotherapy and radical neck dissection.