Abstract
Ballistic facial wounds present daunting reconstructive challenges to the most experienced of surgeons. The early Waltzing method of tissue transfer, perfected by Sir Gillies, was superseded by free flaps and facial transplantation as methods for facial reconstruction. In the low resource setting, however, the Waltz may be the only suitable option. This case study describes the use of the Waltz for facial reconstruction at the Port of Spain General Hospital in Trinidad. The subject sustained a gunshot wound to the face resulting in complex midface and mandibular defects. Here, bilateral deltopectoral flaps were used to replace destroyed soft tissue.
Highlights
The combination of high powered weaponry and trench warfare at the beginning of the twentieth century produced a multitude of complex facial injuries for which there were no acceptable surgical remedies
The Waltz remained popular until the 1970s when the use of free flap tissue transfer came into vogue and became the method of choice.[1]
This case study describes the use of the Waltz for facial reconstruction in a low resource setting, at the Port-ofSpain General Hospital in Trinidad and Tobago
Summary
The combination of high powered weaponry and trench warfare at the beginning of the twentieth century produced a multitude of complex facial injuries for which there were no acceptable surgical remedies. It was during these dark times, plastic surgery blossomed. Sir Harold Gillies, a veteran and the father of modern day plastic surgery, perfected the use of the Waltzing method of tissue transfer to treat the functional and aesthetic complications of these nouvelle injuries. The Waltz remained popular until the 1970s when the use of free flap tissue transfer came into vogue and became the method of choice.[1] there are instances where this may not be possible, and the Waltz becomes the most feasible option once more. This case study describes the use of the Waltz for facial reconstruction in a low resource setting, at the Port-ofSpain General Hospital in Trinidad and Tobago
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