[Cervicothoracic prefabricated flaps for reconstruction of face and neck].

OBJECTIVE

To introduce a new prefabricated flap with matched colour, texture, thin enough thickness, large enough dimension and reliability for reconstruction of massive defect of face and neck.

METHODS

The patients with massive scar of face and neck were selected for treatment with prefabricated flap. Flap prefabrication involved two stages. The "sandwich" structure including the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex vessels and surrounding muscle fascia was harvested from the thigh and anastomosed to superior thyroid artery or facial vessels. Flap prefabrication was performed by inserting the fascia flap between the cervicothoracic skin and the tissue expander placed beneath the skin. After a period of expansion, the flap was transferred to the recipient site based on the implanted vessels. The results including complications were examined during follow-up.

RESULTS

Nine patients received this treatment. The average dimensions of fascia flap harvested was 6.3 cm x 11.2 cm. After mean interval of 16.7 weeks, the expanders were filled to a mean volume of 1670cc. The size of prefabricated flap ranged from 12 cm x 15 cm to 15 cm x 32 cm. In all cases, the flap efficiently covered the entire defect of the face and neck, and the donor site of the flap is closed primarily. All of the flaps developed venous congestion in some degree after the second operation. Partial flap necrosis occurred in two cases. Three flap was thinned to contour the bulky pedicle. During follow-up, the transferred flap was matched well to the adjacent skin. The reconstructed face restored nature contour and expression. Muscle weakness or paraesthesia was not found in the donor thigh.

CONCLUSIONS

Cervicothoracic Prefabricated Flap, is reliable and versatile in the reconstruction of massive soft tissue deficits with restoration nature surface and expression of the face and neck.