Expanded Forehead Flap Research Articles

The Expanded Forehead Flap for Resurfacing of Multi-unit Congenital Nevi of the Face.

The forehead flap is a timeless and robust reconstructive option for complex facial defects. In accordance with aesthetic subunit principles, it has traditionally been used to resurface defects affecting a single cervicofacial region, most commonly the nose or periorbital unit. In this article, we present three cases of congenital nevi treated with expanded forehead flap reconstruction of the nasal, periorbital, and cheek units in early childhood. This series demonstrates an approach that, while violating facial units, limits total scar burden and optimizes aesthetic and functional results. With precise staging and execution, this reconstructive technique allows for a single flap to resurface multi-unit defects in the pediatric population with excellent long-term results.

Clinical Application of Botulinum Toxin A on Nasal Reconstruction with Expanded Forehead Flap for Asian Patients.

Because of its unique advantages, frontal expansion has become a common tool for Asian nasal reconstruction, but it has the limitations of prolonging the duration and pain in the expansion area. Based on the fact that the denervation effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) has been widely used in the reconstruction of superficial organs, we hypothesized that BTX-A would shorten the length of nasal reconstruction sequence and alleviate the discomfort of patients. A comparative retrospective study was conducted of consecutive patients underwent sequential treatment of nasal reconstruction between June 2010 and July 2012. Data on demographics, BTX-A injection plan and expansion duration were collected and analyzed. Phased pain intensity outcomes were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS). Photographs were collected during the follow-up period. Thirty patients were enrolled in the study; 15 (50%) with and 15 (50%) without BTX-A pre-injection. Demographic data were homogeneous. The duration of the observation group (BTX-A pretreated) (133.87 ± 13.64 days) was significantly shortened versus the control group (164.27 ± 14.08 days, P<0.001). At the initial stage, no significant difference was found in the VAS scores (P=0.64). At the medium stage, the VAS score of the observation group (2.07 ± 0.80) was significantly lower than the control group (3.00 ± 0.53, P<0.01). At the terminal stage, the VAS score of the observation group (1.93 ± 0.59) was significantly lower than the control group (2.73 ± 0.70) but with a narrower disparity. Pre-injection of BTX-A is effective in shortening the duration of the expansion phase, as well as relieving the pain associated with expansion. The journal asks authors to assign a level of evidence to each article. For a complete description of Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, see the Table of Contents or the online Instructions for Authors at www.springer.com/00266 .

Reconstruction of Midface Defects after Radical Tumor Resection - a Rare Case Report of Solitary Fibrous Tumour of the Hard Palate.

Introduction- Spindle cell neoplasm is a variant of squamous cell carcinoma. One of its subtypes is solitary fibrous tumor. Its occurrence in head and neck is very rare and rarer in hard palate. But if occurs, radical excision is the only choice as it has malignant potential but coverage of such large mid face defects imposes a challenge in front of a Plastic Surgeon as it demands both soft tissue coverage and skeletal support. Report of the case- A 33 year male presented to our department with swelling of left side face involving the anterior palate, maxilla, nose, and upper lip. With the help of the surgical oncology team, wide local excision of the neoplasm along with bilateral infrastructure maxillectomy, total rhinectomy, total upper lip resection and total hard palatectomy was done. This created large defect in the mid face which was covered with free anterolateral thigh flap. Biopsy was done which revealed the swelling as a solitary fibrous tumor of hard palate. All the margins were free of tumour. The flap settled well. Nostrils were secured with nasal stents. After 3 months, an expander was placed in forehead of the patient for future nasal reconstruction. After 3 months, nasal reconstruction was done using expanded forehead flap and costal cartilage. After 21 days flap detachment and insetting was done. White roll creation was also done. One more secondary procedure was done for flap thinning as patient had complain of nasal obstruction. After 6 months vascularised free fibula bone graft was introduced to reconstruct maxilla for future dental rehabilitation. The patient is in regular follow up and he is satisfied with the results. Discussion- Mid face defects involving perioral and nasomaxillar areas are very uncommon and require composite reconstruction. In such cases, microvascular free flap coverage is an irreplaceable option. Multiple stages might have to be done for further refinement. Conclusion- Reconstruction after oncological resection is always very demanding. With proper preoperative planning and skilled execution, the patient can be benefited functionally, aesthetically and psychosocially.

Handheld Doppler Detection and Light Illumination for Vascular Mapping in Nasal Reconstruction.

The application of the expanded forehead flap in nasal reconstruction has the advantage of being able to provide a sufficient amount of flap and can provide good aesthetic results. For an expanded forehead flap to survive, there must be adequate arterial supply and venous return. Despite this, limited studies have been conducted on preoperative vascular mapping and the design of the expanded forehead flap for nasal reconstruction. In this article, the authors present a technique of hand-held Doppler detection with light illumination for vascular mapping. The study included patients who underwent total nasal reconstruction with expanded forehead flaps between May 2016 and April 2021. The design of the flap was based on the result of preoperative vascular detection by hand-held Doppler detection assisted by light illumination. A total of 32 patients underwent total nasal reconstruction with an expanded forehead flap. The distal part of the flap became necrotic 1 week after the surgery in 2 patients. Following dressing changes and the administration of antibiotics, the distal flap in these patients survived well. No complications were reported in the long term. Hand-held Doppler detection combined with light illumination is a convenient and effective preoperative design method for nasal reconstruction with an expanded forehead flap. All flaps survived well in the long term. Level IV.

The Immediate Contraction of the Expanded Forehead Flap.

Flaps contract immediately after harvest, which added difficulty to flap design. This study aims to investigate the immediate contraction rate of the expanded forehead flap used in nasal reconstruction. Patients undergoing nasal reconstruction with expanded forehead flaps from September 2021 to January 2023 were included. Objective measurements of the pedicle width, maximum width, maximum length, and flap size of the expanded forehead flap before and after harvest were conducted. Fourteen patients, including 9 males and 5 females, were included. The average expansion period was 4.6 months, and the mean injection volume was 658.6ml. The average retraction rate of pedicle width, maximum width, maximum length, and size of the flap after harvest were 16.15%, 30.26%, 26.86%, and 50.89%, respectively. This study presents the contraction rate of the expanded forehead flap used for nasal reconstruction. The data from the measurement will help surgeons to design the expanded forehead flap. Level-Level IV.

Nasal reconstruction with the expanded forehead flap: Long-term follow-up of esthetic outcome and 12-year experience

BackgroundThe expanded forehead flap has its unique advantage in nasal reconstruction. The authors present their 12-year experience with nasal reconstruction with an expanded forehead flap. The esthetic and functional outcomes were assessed with long-term subjective and objective evaluations. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted of consecutive patients who underwent nasal reconstruction with the expanded forehead flap from 2009 to 2021 performed by the senior author (F.F.). Data were collected and analyzed regarding defect characteristics, processes of treatment, and complications. Subjective esthetic and functional outcomes were assessed through questionnaires FACE-Q (Face Questionnaire) and NOSE (Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation). The objective esthetic outcome was assessed by a senior resident through the viewing of clinical photographs. ResultsOne hundred and fifty-five patients underwent nasal reconstruction with an expanded forehead flap. The average expansion period was 174 days, and the injection volume was 685.7 ml. There were 15 complications. One hundred and eight patients (69.6%) were satisfied, and 19 patients (12.2%) were very satisfied with the outcome. The differences between postoperative and preoperative scores of FACE-Q were statistically significant (p < 0.01). Sixty-nine percent of patients complained of bilateral eyebrow asymmetry, 27.1% of patients reported partial recovery of frontal deformity with dissatisfaction, and 2.6% of patients considered not recovered at all. The results of 78 patients (50.3%) were considered “satisfied,” and 41 patients (26.5%) were considered “very satisfied” by objective evaluation. ConclusionNasal reconstruction with an expanded forehead flap was a safe technique with good esthetic outcomes. Although problems with the asymmetry of the eyebrows and frontal deformation were presented, the influence was minimal and well-accepted by most patients.

Expanded forehead flap in Asian nasal reconstruction

This article reviewed our experience of Chinese nasal reconstruction over 12 years and evaluated the effect of expanded forehead flap both aesthetically and functionally. The special skin type and other anatomic features of Chinese patients was understood thoroughly during the treatment. This article thus catered for the need of multiracial nasal reconstruction. We analyzed existing clinical data and demonstrated a typical case in detail. The postoperative result supported our strategy which advocated the extensive application of expanded forehead flap, together with flip scar flap as the internal lining. The features of Chinese patients also prompted the use of costal and auricular cartilage. Emerging technology like 3D-printing would benefit nasal reconstruction from more aspects.

The Transfer of Expanded Forehead Superthin Flap Without Frontalis and Less Hair Follicles Pedicled by Superficial Temporal Vessels.

The expanded forehead flap pedicled with superficial temporal vessel(s) is a common method to treat facial scar deformity. However, local bulkiness and hair retention have limited the use of this flap. Five cadavers were used for anatomy to confirm the forehead "safety zone." A retrospective study was performed on 15 patients with facial scar deformity who were undergoing the expanded forehead superthin flap (without the expanded capsule, frontalis muscle, and with less hair follicles) pedicled with superficial temporal vessel(s) to transfer and repair the deformity. Through cadaver anatomy, the range where the subdermal vascular network laid superficial to the hair follicle level was named the "safety zone," whose average distance between the bilateral penetrating points was 10.2 cm (8.7-11.6 cm). Fifteen patients with facial scar deformity were treated with the superthin flap technique. The trimming size of the safety zone flap was (6-10) × (12-20) cm. The median time of thinning the safety zone was 35 minutes (range, 25-40 minutes). All flaps healed well. The median residual ratio of the hair follicle was 39.8% (29.9%-50.5%). All patients were satisfied with the contour of the flap. We firstly proposed a concept of forehead safety zone and used the superthin flap without the frontalis muscle and less hair follicles to treat facial scar deformity, and obtained an improved therapeutic effect. We think this is an appealing technique that can manifest facial concave and convex in the fine part, improve compliance of the flap, and reduce the times of laser hair removal.

A ten-year surgical experience in patients of Tessier No.0 cleft with a bifid nose.

Tessier No.0 cleft with a bifid nose is a rare malformation. Reconstruction of the nose is essential for children/adults to correct facial cosmetic defects and contribute to developing patients' mental health. The aim of the study was to present the 10-year clinical results using local flaps or expanded forehead flaps in bifid nose patients. A retrospective review was performed between January of 2010 and August of 2021 in our department. Sex, age at surgery, associated anomalies, and type of operation were reviewed. A total of 33 patients were retained. The median duration of follow-up was 5.5 years. Fourteen patients underwent multi-stage nasal reconstruction using expanded forehead flap with costal cartilage as a framework, and 16 patients were operated with local skin flap with silicone while the other three were operated with local skin flap with costal cartilage. There were six cases (18.18%) of complications in our study. During follow-up, 28 patients (84.85%) had satisfactory outcomes, four patients (12.12%) had partially satisfactory results, and one patient (3.03%) had an unsatisfactory outcome. Using local skin flap with silicone or costal cartilage rhinoplasty and nasal reconstruction using expanded forehead flap with costal cartilage for patients with a bifid nose of Tessier No.0 cleft showed that it was safe and effective, and had satisfying results in the long-term follow-up.

Computer-aided design and manufacturing technology applied to total nasal reconstruction

The principles of nasal reconstruction include the need to reconstruct three tissue layers, the need to restore entire skin aesthetical units, and, possibly, the replacement with like tissues. Computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) technologies were applied to two total nasal reconstructions in male patients who underwent rhinectomy for cancer. Three-dimensional (3D) data were obtained from computerized tomography (CT) scan-derived DICOM files (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine), this allowed us to design the shape of the reconstructive nose in order to mimic the native nose and to plan dimensions and angles. A custom-made titanium plate was manufactured for the structure and a bi-dimensional template for the forehead flap was printed. The patients underwent a total nasal reconstruction in three layers: local flaps for the lining, custom-made titanium plate for the structure, and expanded forehead flap for the skin. Forehead flap pedicle was divided 3 weeks postoperatively under local anesthesia in an outpatient clinic, as well as further minor refinements. The patients underwent a 6-month post-operative CT scan in order to compare the result to the planned nose. No complications were reported. The superimposition demonstrated a 92% match in case 1 and 95% match in case 2 between the reconstructed nose and the planned one. Forehead flap is still the most favorable option for nasal reconstruction, CAD technology allows to implement the planning and makes the procedure easier; moreover, the use of a CAM plate for the structure allows to reconstruct a nose with the desired naso-frontal angle.Level of evidence: level V, therapeutic study.

Comparison of Hand-Held Doppler and Indocyanine Green Angiography in Preoperative Design of Expanded Forehead Flaps for Nasal Reconstruction.

Despite the different approaches for detection of perforators, methods of vascular mapping of the expanded forehead flap for nasal reconstruction are rarely described. This article aimed to present our experience in the preoperative design of the expanded forehead flap for nasal reconstruction and to compare the clinical practice of hand-held Doppler and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) in vascular mapping for nasal reconstruction with the expanded forehead flap. From October 2019 to April 2022, 26 patients underwent nasal reconstruction using expanded forehead flap. The authors performed preoperative vascular mapping on 16 patients by hand-held Doppler alone, and on 10 patients by hand-held Doppler and ICGA primary outcomes considered were the visualization of the main vascular course of the flap obtained by hand-held Doppler or ICGA, intraoperative observation of the flap, and its postoperative complications. Indocyanine green angiography provides a better detection in distal flap and the branches of the supratrochlear artery. Vein detection by ICGA generally corresponds to the results obtained by the combination of hand-held Doppler and transillumination test. In the group that only used hand-held Doppler, 2 patients presented hemodynamic complications in the margin of the flap and 1 patient presented partial necrosis postoperatively. No complication was found in the group that used ICGA. It is recommended to use the ICGA for preoperative planning, as it yields highly accurate vascular courses. As an alternative to other methods, hand-held Doppler is also an effective tool. IV.

Different Transfer Forms of the Expanded Forehead Flap Pedicled With Superficial Temporal Vessels to Treat Chin and Submental Scar Deformities.

The chin and submental regions are located at the junction of the face and neck. Its function and aesthetic appearance can be seriously affected when scar deformities cause the cervico-mental angle to disappear. The expanded forehead flap pedicled with superficial temporal vessel(s) is a surgical treatment for chin and submental scar deformities. Different transfer types have developed for this flap based on individual situations. At present, there is no unified treatment strategy for applying this forehead flap to treat different regions and ranges of chin and submental scar deformities. Ninety one cases were collected from patients with chin and submental scar deformities that were treated using the expanded forehead flap pedicled with superficial temporal vessels from January 2008 to December 2018. The authors divided the chin and submental scar deformities into 4 types according to different regions and ranges, and summarized flap survival and complications of 5 different transfer forms used to treat scars for creating feasible treatment strategies. We followed up 76 cases, investigating the satisfaction of appearance and texture of the flaps, improvement of neck movement, and scar recurrence. Expanded forehead flaps were used to repair 91 cases of chin and submental scar deformities. According to the postoperative flap survival and complications of flap blood supply, the treatment strategies are as follows: Bilateral cutaneous and subcutaneous pedicled forehead flaps are applied to treat scars in bilaterally symmetrical large-scale scars in Zone LCL. Unilateral pedicled forehead flaps are applied to treat small-scale scars in Zone C and Zone L. Unilateral pedicled plus contralateral vascular anastomosis and unilateral pedicled plus contralateral super thin forehead flaps are applied to treat the moderate-scale scars of Zone LC. Mean follow-up period was 81 months (range 28-131), 93.4% (71/76) was satisfied with appearance and texture of the flaps, 97.4% (74/ 76) was satisfied with the improvement of neck movement, and 2.6% (2/76) occurred scar recurrence. Five different types of expanded forehead flaps pedicled with superficial temporal vessels can be used to repair differential scar deformities of the chin and submental regions and achieve good therapeutic effects.

In vitro regeneration of tissue engineered cartilage and its clinical application for nasal reconstruction

To explore the clinical application and effectiveness of a personalized tissue engineered cartilage with seed cells derived from ear or nasal septal cartilage and poly-glycolic acid (PGA)/poly-lactic acid (PLA) as scaffold in patients with nasal reconstruction. Between March 2014 and October 2015, 4 cases of acquired nasal defects and 1 case of congenital nasal deformity were admitted. The patient with congenital nasal deformity was a 4-year-old boy, and the source of seed cells was nasal septal cartilage. The other 4 patients were 3 males and 1 female, aged 24-33 years, with an average of 28.5 years. They all had multiple nasal subunit defects caused by trauma and the source of seed cells was auricular cartilage. The tissue engineered cartilage framework was constructed in the shape of normal human nasal alar cartilage and L-shaped silicone prosthesis with seed cells from cartilage and PGA-PLA compound biodegradable scaffold. The boy underwent nasal deformity correction and silicone prosthesis implantation in the first stage, and the prosthesis was removed and implanted with tissue engineered cartilage in the second stage; the remaining 4 adult patients all used expanded forehead flaps for nasal reconstruction. All 5 patients underwent 1-4 nasal revisions. The implanted tissue engineered cartilage was observed during the operation and taken from 2 patients for histological examination. All the incisions healed by first intention after the tissue engineered cartilage implantation, and the expanded forehead flaps survived. Postoperative low fever occurred in 3 patients. No complications such as infection, obvious immune rejection response, and tissue engineered cartilage protrusion were found in all patients. All patients were followed up 9-74 months (mean，54.8 months). During follow-up, the patients had no obvious discomfort in the nose and the ventilation function were good. All patients were satisfied with the nasal contour. Early-stage histological examination showed the typical cartilage characteristics in 1 patient after the implantation of tissue engineered cartilage. Late-stage histological examination in 1 patient of tissue engineered cartilage showed the characteristics of fibrous connective tissue; and the other showed there was remaining cartilage. The safety of tissue engineered cartilage constructed in vitro for reconstruction is preliminarily confirmed, but the effectiveness still needs further verification.

"Zipper" Concept for Designing Expanded Forehead Flap in Facial-Cervical Reconstruction.

Skin defect of the lower part of the face and neck is a severe condition for many patients with burn and traumatic injuries or skin lesions. The expanded forehead flap with anterofrontal temporal vessel pedicles has been widely used in lower cheeks, chin, and neck reconstruction. (In this study, we introduce a new concept- "Zipper concept" of the flap design.) The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and outcome of using expanded forehead flap with a vertical incision with or without a small transverse incision in the central part. From March 2010 to September 2016, 27 patients who suffered from lower cheeks and chin skin defects were reconstructed by expanded forehead flap with anterofrontal temporal vessel pedicles. After the lesion was excised, the upper or the lower part of the flap was cut in half with a vertical incision with or without a small transverse incision in the middle part as needed for cheeks, upper lip or neck reconstruction, and the other part of the flap was remained to be one piece for chin reconstruction. All flaps survived completely without any congestion or necrosis. All patients achieved satisfactory results both functionally and aesthetically. A vertical incision with or without a small transverse incision in the central part of the expanded forehead flap with anterofrontal temporal vessel pedicles is a safe modification of the flap design. It is practical and could bring the expanded forehead flap to more indications.

Modifications of Paramedian Forehead Flap

Introduction Paramedian forehead flap an interpolated flap based on supratrochlear vessels is considered as a workhorse for nasal and periorbital reconstruction however it re-quires modification’s to meet reconstruction requirement. Modifications includes islanded single stage forehead flap, expanded forehead flap, pre-fabricated with rib cartilage, folded forehead flap, split forehead flap and delayed flap, are associated with complications which can be minimized using different techniques. This article’s objective is to re-view indications for modification of Paramedian forehead flap, its complications and techniques of minimizing them. Methods: Twenty-three patients with facial defects reconstructed with modified Paramedian forehead flap were analysed by non-probability purposive sampling from September 2010 to August 2014, while traditional forehead flap reconstructions were excluded. Results: Nasal and periorbital region defects were present in twenty-one and two patients respectively.13 had full thickness nasal defects, 14 had BCC while SCC in 2 patients. Reconstruction was performed in multiple stages except in three patients. Expanded forehead flap was used in four, subcutaneously islanded pedicle forehead and flap prefabricated forehead flaps in three each, split forehead and delayed reconstruction in two patients each. No total loss of flap was observed except in one folded forehead flap where partial distal one cmnecrosed; one patient with expanded forehead flap required revision due to flap contraction. Conclusions: Modifications of Paramedian forehead flap appear reliable, versatile and excellent tool for nasal and periorbital reconstruction. Judicious modifications of flap de-sign as per indication can give satisfactory results with minimal complications by following the techniques mentioned in literature.

Microsurgical Reconstruction of the Nose: The Aesthetic Approach to Total Defects.

Reconstruction of complex defects involving nose and close facial units represents an aesthetic and functional challenge. Restoring satisfactory nasal shape, combining aesthetic, nasal function and patent airways is mandatory. In this paper, we describe our approach to total nose defects and we report our 20-year experience in microvascular nose reconstruction.Clinical cases are shown to illustrate different surgical techniques and the evolution of our approach. Nasal reconstruction procedures were performed on 21 patients between 2000 and 2020 using the radial forearm flap (RFF) or anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap. Reported reconstructions included total/subtotal nasal defects, caused by cancer resections. The key point of our approach is the expanded forehead flap for skin coverage. Reconstruction is completed by cartilage grafts to restore nasal framework and to shape nasal tip. Ancillary procedures were needed in some cases to optimize aesthetic outcomes. Twenty-one patients completed the multistage nasal reconstruction. The RFF flap was used in 56% of the cases (n = 11), while the ALT flap was used in 44% (n = 10) of our case series. No difference has been detected in the number of reconstructive stages required to achieve the final result comparing RFF and ALT reconstruction (3.3 vs. 3.1 reconstructive steps). Ancillary procedures were performed in 7 patients. Microvascular tissue transfer plays a key role in full-thickness nasal defects restoration. Comparing the two groups, both the RFF and ALT are effective and reliable options in lining reconstruction, although with different indications. Expanded forehead flap, combined to free cartilage graft, is our gold standard to provide external skin coverage to rebuild the nasal framework. According to our current approach, accurate preoperative planning, supported by modern technologic tools, multistage reconstruction, and ancillary procedures are useful to accomplish satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes.

The Importance of Expanded Forehead Flap in Nasal Reconstruction

Introduction: Nasal reconstruction is a difficult problembecause it entails reconstruction of skin, cartilage, osseousframe work and lining mucous membrane [1]. The result mustbe satisfactory both cosmetically and functionally [2].The anatomical reconstruction depends on the principleof subunit divisions of the nose. Which states: If the reconstructionis less than the defective subunit the result willappear patchy. On the other hand, if the reconstruction exceedsthe limits of the subunit the nose will appear unnatural [3,4].Local and regional flaps are used in nasal reconstructioneach type has its own advantages, disadvantages and donorsite morbidity [5-9]. The aim of this work is to demonstratethe advantages and disadvantages of expanded forehead flap in nasal reconstruction.Material and Methods: A retrospective review of 25consecutive cases of total or nasal dorsum reconstruction whowere operated upon in a single clinic by 3 separate surgeonsadopting the same principle of expanded forehead flap, betweenJanuary 2010 and January 2017.In this technique the median forehead skin is expandedwith a 200-ml envelope for 6-8 weeks, and then a foreheadflap is incised to match the nasal defect [10].Results: Surgical follow-up varied from a minimum of 6months to a maximum of 2 years with average follow-up of1 year. Among a total of 25 patients, 23 patients (92%)complied with follow-up, and 21 (91%) of these patients weresatisfied. One case only complicated and the expander extrudedand had to be removed.Conclusion: The tint of forehead skin is similar to nasalskin. Forehead flap is well vascularized and is lying adjacentto the nose. Forehead is a multilaminar structure which allowthe usage of skin grafts as inner lining and because of its highvascularity all types of structural support can be used.Expanded forehead flap provides large, excess forehead skinand primary closure of donor site is applicable. During theprocess of expansion, the skin is thinned out so do not needde-fattening and re-contracture do not occur. Therefore,forehead flap is always a good reconstructive option in largenasal defects.

Clinical effects of expanded forehead flaps in repairing midfacial defects

Objective: To explore the clinical effects of expanded forehead flaps in repairing midfacial defects. Methods: From January 2003 to December 2018, 19 patients with midfacial defects were admitted to our unit, including 8 males and 11 females, aged 7 to 52 years. One cylindrical expander with rated capacity ranged from 100 to 170 mL was placed in the forehead of patients in the first stage of expansion, and the total water injection volume was about 2 times of the rated capacity of the expander during 1 to 2 months. The area of midfacial defects was 4 cm×2 cm to 9 cm×5 cm after resection in the second stage surgery. Expanded forehead flaps with vascular pedicle of supratrochlear vessels or frontal branch of superficial temporal vessels were used to repair the midfacial defects, with flap size ranging from 5 cm×2 cm to 16 cm×6 cm. The donor sites were closed by direct suturing. Three weeks later, the pedicle was divided. The complications, blood supply after flap transfer and pedicle division, and the treatment effects during follow-up were observed. Results: Among the patients, flaps of 11 patients had vascular pedicle of supratrochlear vessels; flaps of 8 patients had vascular pedicle of frontal branch of superficial temporal vessels. All the flaps survived with no complications and good blood supply after flap transfer and pedicle division. During the follow-up of 6 to 12 months after the third stage surgery of pedicle division of 12 patients, no lower eyelid ectropion occurred, the appearance of the flaps was similar to the surrounding tissue with no swelling. Conclusions: The application of expanded forehead flaps can not only repair the defects but also effectively avoid the complication of lower eyelid ectropion, which is a promising method in repairing midfacial defects.

Expanded Paramedian Forehead Flaps for Nasal Defects: Beyond Aesthetic Subunits.

Reconstruction of nasal tip defects presents a significant challenge for plastic surgeons. The form, function, and aesthetic appeal of all nasal subunits must be addressed. The expanded paramedian forehead flap is a good choice for nasal reconstruction, providing similar texture, structure, and skin color, and high reliability. This article discusses the authors' modification of the expanded paramedian forehead flap in reconstructing defects on or around the nasal tip. Twenty-two patients with nasal defects located on or around the nasal tip were treated in our institution. Sixteen patients underwent nasal reconstruction with expanded forehead flaps. The other 6 cases with cartilage defect underwent reconstruction with expanded forehead flaps and autogenous rib cartilage grafts. Functional and cosmetic results were assessed by surgeon, patient, and patient's relatives using a scale from 1 to 10. The aesthetic appearance of all patients was significantly improved after surgery. Two cases had mild hyperpigmentation. Two patients considered the flaps too thick. Three cases had minor brow elevation at the donor site. There were no obvious scars at the donor sites. There were no serious complications, such as infection, flap necrosis, deviation, or collapse. The expanded paramedian forehead flap is a safe and effective method for reconstructing defects located on or around the nasal tip. Moreover, this technique can result in good functional and cosmetic outcomes with very few complications.

A Decade's Experience: A Sound Framework as the Foundation to Nasal Reconstruction.

The goal of nasal reconstruction surgery is to restore normal nasal shape and function, and its success begins with creating a stable framework. In this article the authors discuss the most advantageous materials for building such a framework and how to design this element to achieve better and more durable outcomes. This is a retrospective study including patients who underwent nasal reconstruction in our rhinoplasty and nasal reconstruction center at a tertiary referral hospital between 2006 and 2016. Data included patient characteristics, defect location, the reason for defect, use of supporting structure, flap, lining, and complications were recorded. The minimum postoperative follow-up was at least 6 months after the last operation. This study included 455 patients. Nasal defects treated most commonly involved zone 2 and an average defect of 4.2 subunits. Expanded forehead flap for cover with costal cartilage as a framework and turn-over flap combined with distal end of the flap for lining was the most common reconstruction method used in this study. The complication rate was 4.39% and nearly half of these complications were related to usage of an expander during reconstruction. Regardless of flap used, the supporting structure was the most critical element for the 3-dimensional shape of the reconstructed nose. As 1 of the 3 elements of nasal reconstruction, framework deserves adequate attention during such reconstruction.