Deltopectoral flap reconstruction with primary repair in a patient with cutaneous neck metastasis of thyroid cancer; a case report

Abstract

Background: Deltopectoral flap is the most commonly used fasciocutaneous, transpositional flap, which relies on the blood supply of intercostal perforators of the internal thoracic artery, usually requiring skin grafting to the donor site. Cutaneous metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma is rare. Here we report a case of deltopectoral flap reconstructive surgery in a patient with cutaneous neck metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Case Presentation: A 65 year old male who underwent a total thyroidectomy in 2013 for papillary thyroid carcinoma, presented with a skin neck metastasis for six months. It was an approximately 8cm diameter hemispherical lump over the left anterior root of the neck extending to the upper chest. Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of cutaneous metastasis of thyroid papillary carcinoma. Wide local excision of the lump and deltopectoral flap reconstruction was performed without requiring skin grafting for the donor site. Conclusion: Effectiveness of use of deltopectoral flap as a reconstructive option for radical thyroid cancer surgeries which result in skin defect. Keywords: Deltopectoral flap, Reconstruction, Papillary thyroid carcinoma, Cutaneous metastasis