The internal mammary artery perforator flap for neck reconstruction after palliative resection of advanced anaplastic thyroid cancer: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Defects of the neck after palliative resection of exulcerated tumors could be reconstructed with different skin flaps. CASE PRESENTATION: The present report describes the case of a 40-year-old Caucasian female patient with advanced anaplastic thyroid cancer. The exophytically growing, bad-smelling massive exulcerated tumor caused an esthetic defect, neck mobility restrictions, and mental state deterioration. PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS, INTERVENTIONS, AND OUTCOMES: Palliative debulking of the tumor was performed. The 10 × 5 cm skin defect of the neck was successfully reconstructed with an internal mammary artery perforator island flap. The donor site was closed primarily. The patient had an uneventful clinical course; the cosmetic results and mental state were very pleasing. CONCLUSIONS: The present case illustrates that palliative resection of the tumor and plastic reconstruction of the neck defect promoted other treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy due to the improved local situation.