Combined flaps based on the superficial temporal vascular system for reconstruction of facial defects

• Published in: Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery reconstructive & aesthetic surgery, 2015-09, Vol.68 (9), p.1235-1241
• Main Authors: Zhou, Renpeng, Wang, Chen, Qian, Yunliang, Wang, Danru
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Bone Transplantation - methods; Cadaver; Combined flaps; Esthetics; Facial defect; Facial Injuries - diagnosis; Facial Injuries - surgery; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Graft Survival; Humans; Male; Multicomponent deficiencies; Plastic Surgery; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - methods; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Sampling Studies; Skin Transplantation - methods; Superficial temporal vascular system; Surgical Flaps - blood supply; Surgical Flaps - transplantation; Temporal Bone - blood supply; Temporal Muscle - blood supply; Treatment Outcome; Wound Healing - physiology
• ISSN: 1748-6815; 1878-0539
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2015.04.022

Summary Background Facial defects are multicomponent deficiencies rather than simple soft-tissue defects. Based on different branches of the superficial temporal vascular system, various tissue components can be obtained to reconstruct facial defects individually. Methods From January 2004 to December 2013, 31 patients underwent reconstruction of facial defects with composite flaps based on the superficial temporal vascular system. Results Twenty cases of nasal defects were repaired with skin and cartilage components, six cases of facial defects were treated with double island flaps of the skin and fascia, three patients underwent eyebrow and lower eyelid reconstruction with hairy and hairless flaps simultaneously, and two patients underwent soft-tissue repair with auricular combined flaps and cranial bone grafts. All flaps survived completely. Donor-site morbidity is minimal, closed primarily. Donor areas healed with acceptable cosmetic results. The final outcome was satisfactory. Conclusion Combined flaps based on the superficial temporal vascular system are a useful and versatile option in facial soft-tissue reconstruction.