Reconstruction Of Facial Skin Defects Research Articles

Reconstruction of Facial Skin Defects with Flap and Graft Techniques: A Comparative Study

Background: Reconstruction of facial skin defects is challenging. Skin flaps and grafts are well-known techniques for reconstructing these defects. The outcomes of the surgeries can vary depending on the surgical procedures and the patient's characteristics. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the results of reconstructing facial skin defects using skin grafts and flaps in patients referred to Imam Reza Hospital, Birjand, Iran. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 100 patients with tumors and traumatic lesions in the facial area referred to the plastic surgery service of Imam Reza Hospital, Birjand, Iran. For comparison, the data of 50 patients with skin grafts and 50 patients with flaps who underwent facial skin defect repair surgery were collected. Patients' demographic characteristics were extracted from their hospital records. The final reconstruction results were evaluated based on the presence or absence of aesthetic or functional complications three months after surgery. Results: The mean ages of participants were 64.6±14.0 and 58.3±19.1 in the flap and graft groups, respectively. Women comprised 26 (52%) of the flap and 22 (44%) of the graft groups. The mean size of lesions in the graft group was 21.3±17.3 cm and 4.7±3.9 cm in the flap group (P=0.001). The frequency of aesthetic and functional complications in the flap group was 13 (26%) and 9 (18%), and in the graft group was 24 (48%) and 15 (30%), respectively. The frequency of aesthetic complications in the flap group was significantly lower than that in the graft group (P=0.023). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the frequency of functional complications (P=0.160). The frequency of disease recurrence was not significantly related to surgical technique (P=0.749). Furthermore, the lesion location had a significant association with the surgical technique (P=0.009); however, the number of surgeries had no significant association with the surgical technique (P=0.389). Conclusion: In general, except for when there is an indication for using a method, the reconstruction of facial skin defects using a skin flap will have better results than a skin graft.

Reconstruction of facial skin defects by the V-Y subcutaneous pedicle flap

Objective: To investigate the method and efficacy of reconstruction of facial skin defects after removing the lesions by applying the V-Y subcutaneous pedicle flap. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 23 patients with facial reconstruction by using V-Y subcutaneous pedicle flap in the Otolaryngology Department of Guangdong Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital from March 2012 to April 2021. Patient ages ranged from 45 to 85 years old, with a mean age of 66.5 years (14 males and 9 females). The facial lesion sites included cheek in 12 cases (nearly lower eyelid in 4 cases), nose in 4 cases, lips in 3 cases, temporal in 2 cases and mental region in 2 cases. The initial pathology included malignant tumors (7 cases of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), 2 cases of squamous cell carcinoma(SCC), and 1 case of malignant melanoma) and benign lesions (7 cases of keratoderma, 3 cases of intradermal nevus, 1 case of pilomatricoma, 1 case of cutaneous mixed tumor and 1 case of epidermal cyst). The V-Y subcutaneous facial pedicled flaps were designed reasonably after the facial lesions were excised. The advantages of blood supply, survival rate and adverse events of the flap were analyzed Chi-square test was used to compare the observation results of different types of patients. Results: The primary focus of 23 patients was excised surgically, and intraoperative frozen-section examinations were performed for obtaining margins negative as far as possible. One positive margin was still found in 1 patient after multiple resection in our group. The defect sizes were 14 mm×12 mm-59 mm×54 mm. All the flaps survived. The adverse events were slight necrosis of the epidermis at the junction or vicinity of the three arms of "Y" shaped in 4 cases, but the wounds finally recovered by wet compress and dressing change. There were no significant differences in the incidences of adverse events between double and single pedicle flaps (4/19 vs. 0/4), between benign and malignant lesions (4/13 vs. 0/10), and between patients with and without underlying diseases (1/6 vs. 3/17) (χ2 values were 0.98, 3.56, 0.01, respectively, all P>0.05). There were no other major complications such as dehiscence, hematoma, eyelid ectropion and lip deformation. The patients with benign lesions were followed-up at least for 3 months, while those with malignant tumors were followed-up for 6-36 months postoperatively, without recurrence. Conclusions: V-Y subcutaneous facial pedicled skin flap may be a "no-easy-necrotic" local flap in the repair of small and medium-sized facial defects.

To reconstruct facial defects after removing skin lesions by using local flap

Objective:The aim of this study is to investigate the method and effect of reconstruction of facial skin defects after removing the lesions by applying local flap. Method:Fifty-three patients （30 males and 23 females） with facial skin lesions. Complete surgical resection of the lesion; malignant tumor resection should be strictly non-tumor principle; intraoperative frozen section pathological examination confirmed negative margin; benign lesions can be cut off the lesion. According to the defect site, the appropriate local flap was used to repair the defect: 13 cases of modified VY propulsion flap, 8 cases of nasolabial flap, 8 cases of A/O-T shaped flap, 6 cases of rotating flap, 5 cases of direct sliding flap, multi-type There were 6 cases with flap, 2 cases with double leaf, 2 cases with prismatic flap and 3 cases with free flap. Result:Patients with malignant tumor were followed for 12-36 months postoperatively while followed for 10-12 months in the benign. Two patients with malignant tumor developed local recurrence and removed again. At half a year after first resection. Distal partial necrosis occurred in 5 cases while the wound dehiscence in1case, others were well developed. No others major complications occurred. Conclusion:There are various types of local skin flap for repairing facial skin defects. It is very important to excise the primary lesion radically before reconstruction,the satisfactory curative effect can be obtained through reasonable design of the flap.

Versatile use of double fascial flaps in facial skin defects repair

Objective To report our experience in versatile use of double fascial flaps in reconstruction of facial skin defects. Methods A total of 10 patients were enrolled in this study (6 males and 4 females, aged 14-46 years). Based on the location, size and shape of the facial skin defects after tumor resection, paralleled double fascial flaps, vertical double fasical flaps and special angle double fascial flaps were designed respectively. Results All the patients were followed up for 6-12 months after operation. Operative incision split combined with infection was observed in one case. Mild pigmentation around the incision was observed in two cases. The cosmetic results were quite satisfactory to all patients. Conclusions As far as the advantages, minimal donor site morbidity, versatile designation as concerned, the double fascial flaps are good choices in the repair of facial skin defects. Key words: Flaps; Face; Skin defect

Sekundäre Wundheilung

Plastic reconstruction of facial skin defects after tumor surgery is a commonly accepted principle. However, healing by secondary intention is discussed controversially. Here we describe a series of 22 patients after full thickness resection of basal cell carcinoma who underwent wound healing by secondary intention. A semipermeable membrane was used for wound dressing, which was changed on a weekly basis. No antibiotics or pain killers were necessary. Defects up to 2cm, particularly those of concave subunits of the midface, entirely closed within 4-6 weeks, and secondary wound healing led to excellent functional and aesthetic results. Thus, secondary wound healing is a safe, effective and economic alternative to surgical reconstruction in selected facial areas.

Reverse-Flow Retroauricular Island Flap in Facial Reconstruction

Reconstruction of facial skin defects requires good-quality skin cover to satisfy aesthetic expectations of patient, especially when the skin defect is on the uncovered area of the face. Limitations in the available local tissue and donor-site morbidity restrict the options. In an effort to solve these problems, we have begun to use a subcutaneous pedicled retroauricular reverse-flow flap. Between January 1997 and December 2005, reverse-flow subcutaneous pedicled retroauricular island flap was used to cover facial defects in 12 patients who underwent surgical excision of skin tumor. The patients ranged in age from 44 to 81 years with a mean age of 58 years. Only one case experienced a superficial necrosis in the distal one-quarter part of the flap. The functional and aesthetic results were satisfactory for both patients and surgeons, and no tumor recurrence was observed during the 12 to 28 months (mean, 18.8 months) follow-up period. This flap can be used reliably for the reconstruction of facial skin defects of small and medium size. The preference of frontal branch pedicled flap enables more distal facial area defects to be covered, such as dorsal nasal, nasolabial, and upper lip, than flaps based on parietal branch.

Subcutaneous Island Pedicle Flap

Reconstruction of facial skin defects may be a clinical challenge in respect to esthetic considerations, and the V-Y advancement island pedicle flap has been a versatile and reliable method. Besides the V-Y flap, this article is to introduce the variations of subcutaneous island pedicle flaps and their versatility for facial reconstruction. From August 1994 to August 2005, 179 cases of medium-sized facial skin defects within 1 cosmetic unit were reconstructed with the variations of island pedicle flaps, and the length and width of the defects following removal of lesion ranged from 1.2 cm x 0.8 cm to 6.2 cm x 5.4 cm. Ninety-nine facial defects all over the face were reconstructed with the V-Y flaps, and the traditional and modified transposition island pedicle flaps were used to reconstruct 80 cases of relatively larger width of defects in the nose, lip, and upper cheek, especially in the young patients. Through careful planning and implementation, all flaps survived with primary healing postoperatively. With a follow-up from 6 to 30 months, well-concealed, soft, flat scars, together with good matching of the recipient sites and the flaps, were recorded. Patients and surgeons judged final overall outcome as excellent or good in 94.4% and 92.2% of evaluated patients, respectively. The main complications included visible trapdoor deformation in 9 patients, bulky flap pedicle in 8 patients, and low-grade ectropion of lower eyelid in a young boy, which all were readily revised at the second stage. Temporary alteration of sensation in the flap skin was another possible complication but usually improved with time. Variations of subcutaneous island pedicle flaps can be designed and may be versatile and reliable methods for esthetic reconstruction of medium-sized facial defects.

Subcutaneous bipedicle island flaps on the face.

Since 1996, 13 patients have undergone the reconstruction of facial skin defects with subcutaneous bipedicle island skin flaps. The reasons for the surgery were basal cell carcinoma in 10 patients and benign skin tumor excision in three patients. All defects were reconstructed with subcutaneous bipedicle skin flaps without significant complications. Bipedicle subcutaneous skin flaps are a useful alternative for facial reconstruction.

Smoking increases facial skin flap complications.

This study was undertaken to determine whether smokers have a higher risk of complications after reconstruction of facial skin defects. Ninety-one patients with facial skin defects reconstructed with local flaps were reviewed retrospectively. Thirty-eight (42%) were active smokers, 12 (13%) had not smoked for at least 1 year prior to surgery, and the rest were nonsmokers. Complications occurred in 23 patients (25%; 37% in smokers, 17% in ex-smokers, and 17% in nonsmokers; p < .03). All full-thickness skin losses and all cellulitis occurred in active smokers. We conclude that active smokers are at a higher risk for complications in facial skin flap surgery. That ex-smokers had a complication rate similar to that of nonsmokers suggests that part of smoking's adverse effect on skin flaps may be an acute phenomenon, and that smoking cessation for shorter (<1 year) periods of time before surgery may have a beneficial effect.

Teaching paradigm for decision making in facial skin defect reconstructions.

To present a decision paradigm for facial defect reconstruction, and test the ability of this paradigm to improve resident performance. A decision paradigm for reconstruction of facial skin defects is proposed and explained, with patient examples. The paradigm's usefulness is then tested with residents. Otolaryngology residency training program at a tertiary hospital. Otolaryngology residents. Twelve residents took a pretest wherein they were presented with drawings of skin defects and asked to choose the "best" (most aesthetically pleasing) type of reconstruction from a closed set. This paradigm was presented to these residents, and their posttest consisted of choosing again with the same defects and closed set of choices. Cosmetic outcomes of reconstructive decisions on the pretest and posttest were rated on a scale of 0 to 5 (with 0 indicating poor; 5, excellent). There was a significant improvement in reconstructive choices between the pretest and posttest (P<.001, Student t test). This paradigm can be easily modified to accommodate different surgical approaches preferred by individual surgeons and is thus useful in almost any reconstructive teaching situation.

The use of the kite flap for the reconstruction of facial skin defects

The use of the kite flap for the reconstruction of facial skin defects