Repair of basifacial depressions induced by sclerotherapy for venous malformations with shifted axis platysma-fascial flap including submental artery

Abstract

Objective To investigate the feasibility of reconditioning post-sclerotherapy basifacial depressions for venous malformations with the axis platysma-fascial flap including submental artery.Methods Fifteen cases of post-sclerotherapy depressions of venous malformations were treated from Dec.2008 to Oct.2013.Preoperative color Doppler ultrasonography was routinely performed to localize and mark sublingualissubmental artery.Upper hind neck incision was made to dissociate depressed and donor area,after which reconstruction were performed with axis platysma-fascial flap including submental artery.3 months to 2 years' follow-ups were conducted to observe clinical effects.Results All the flaps were alive in all the 15 cases.Satisfacfory recovery archeived because the depressed area appeared well-stacked wihtout secondary depression in the neck.Conclusions It is recommended that axis platysma-fascial flap should be the first chioce of reconditioning basifacial postsclerotherapy depressions for venous malformations,as the operations can be peformed easily under concealed incision with abundant tissues supply and high survival rate. Key words: Fascial flap; Reconstruction; Facial depression; Venous malformation