Repair of faciocervical scars by expanded deltopectoral flap.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the approach to repair faciocervical scars.

METHODS

Eighty-six patients with large faciocervical scars were repaired using the expanded deltopectoral flaps. After expansion, the flaps were transpositioned to repair faciocervical scars. Three weeks later the pedicles were separated and their skin tubes were flattened for the repair of the remaining faciocervical scars.

RESULTS

Of the 86 cases, 80 achieved effective results with all the flaps surviving. Six cases showed achromatosis after healing because of the compromised blood supply.

CONCLUSION

The application of expanded deltopectoral flaps is proved to be an effective way of repairing faciocervical scars. The flaps are as thin as those subdermal vascular network flaps', so when transferred to the facial region, the flaps will not swell and can well match with their peripheral tissues.