[Mentocervical reconstruction and effectiveness evaluation in treatment of mentocervical cicatricial contracture deformity].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the procedures and effectiveness of platysma scar flap for reconstructing mentocervical appearance in patients with mentocervical cicatricial contracture deformity.

METHODS

Between April 2004 and August 2011, 26 patients with mentocervical cicatricial contracture deformities were admitted. There were 15 males and 11 females, aged 12-31 years (mean, 18 years). The causes included scald injury in 19 cases and flame injury in 7 cases, including 23 cases of deep second degree burn and 3 cases of third degree burn. The time between injury and scar formation was 6-27 months (mean, 10 months). The mentocervical angle was (117.10 +/- 14.46) degrees, and the cervicomental angle was (143.38 +/- 15.68) degrees. The platysma scar flap transfer (8 cm x 7 cm to 10 cm x 8 cm in size) and skin grafting were performed to reconstruct mentocervical appearance.

RESULTS

The flap and skin graft all survived and the incisions healed by first intention. All the patients were followed up 6 months-3 years (mean, 16 months). The mentocervical and cervicomental angles were significantly reduced to (89.31 +/- 6.30) degrees and (117.83 +/- 10.65) degrees respectively at 2 weeks after operation (P < 0.05), showing no significant difference when compared with normal mentocervical angle (90 degrees) and cervicomental angle (120 degrees) (P > 0.05). The satisfactory results of the mentocervical appearance and cervical extension function were obtained in 21 patients whose mentocervical and cervicomental angles were restored to normal.

CONCLUSION

Platysma scar flap transfer is an effective method to reconstruct mentocervical appearance and reduce mentocervical and cervicomental angles in patients with mentocervical cicatricial contracture deformity.