Reconstruction of neck and face scar contractures using occipito-cervico-dorsal supercharged “super-thin flaps”: A retrospective analysis of 82 cases in Vietnam

Abstract

BackgroundThe concept of the “super-thin flap” (also known as the subdermal vascular network flap) was introduced in Japan in 1994. Its distinctive characteristic is its extreme thinness: it is thinned to the point that the subdermal vascular network (subdermal plexus) can be seen through the minimal fat layer. Since 2006 in Vietnam, we have used circumflex scapular artery-supercharged occipito-cervico-dorsal (OCD) super-thin flaps to reconstruct cases of neck and face scar contracture. Materials and methodsThis case series comprised all 82 patients with neck and face scar contracture who underwent reconstruction with an OCD supercharged super-thin flap from 2006–2015 at the Vietnam National Institute of Burns. The flap was thinned and anastomosed at the distal area after elevation. All patients received one flap. ResultsOf the 82 flaps, 77 survived completely. The remaining five developed distal superficial necrosis (n=3) and interruption of the sutures due to infection; these required resuturing (n=2). In two of the three necrosis cases, the necrotic area affected 50% of the flap. Eighty of the eighty-two patients were satisfied with both the functional and aesthetic results. ConclusionsThe OCD super-thin flap has clear benefits, and although it is thin, its vasculature is reliable. Thus, it may be one of the best choices for reconstruction of neck and face scar contractures.