OBJECTIVETo explore the anatomic basis and clinical application of the horn shaped perforator flap pedicled with the angular artery for the reconstruction of midface defect.

METHODS(1) 10 fresh cadavers were perfused with a modified guiding oxide gelatin mixture for three-dimensional visualization reconstruction using a 16-slice spiral computed tomography scanner and specialized software (Materiaise' s interactive medical image control system, MIMICS). The origin and distribution of the angular artery perforator were observed. (2) Between July 2012 and July 2014, twenty-one patients underwent operations for the reconstruction of midface defect. Ten patients had squamous cell carcinoma, nine patients had basal cell carcinoma and two patients had nevus. The flaps' size ranged from 1.5 cm x 3.5 cm to 2.5 cm x 5.0 cm.

RESULTSThe facial artery branches the lateral nasal artery 1 cm from the outside corner of the mouth, subsequently strenches to inner canthus continuing as the angular artery. The angular artery anastomoses extensively with the dorsal nasal artery and the infraorbital artery. All the flaps survived. The patients were satisfied with the final aesthetic and functional results.

CONCLUSIONSThe flap can be designed flexibly and simply with reliable blood supply. The donor sites could be closed directly without skin graft, it is a simple and fast method for the reconstruction of midface defect.

Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Arteries ; anatomy & histology ; Cadaver ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; surgery ; Face ; blood supply ; Facial Neoplasms ; surgery ; Humans ; Nevus ; surgery ; Nose ; blood supply ; Perforator Flap ; blood supply ; transplantation ; Skin Neoplasms ; surgery ; Skin Transplantation ; Software ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

OBJECTIVETo study the anatomy basis for the clinical application of the adjacent horn shaped perforator fasciocutaneous flap for the reconstruction of small and medium-sized defects in the trunk area.

METHODS(1) Ten adult antiseptic cadavers (20 sides) were perfused with red latex. The skin blood supply, line of the blood vessels, branches in accordance with the distribution and crossing were observed. (2) Fifteen cases with defects in the trunk were treated with the adjacent horn shaped perforator fasciocutaneous flaps. The defects size ranged from 5 cm x 5 cm to 13 cm x 13 cm with the size of the flaps ranging from 10 cm x 6 cm to 35 cm x 15 cm.

RESULTSThe trunk skin is supplied by mainly 17 groups arteries such as thyrocervical trunk, internal thoracic artery, posterior intercostal arteries, superior epigastric artery, arteria epigastrica inferior, lumbar arteries, and so on. The perforators (diameter > 0.5 mm) numbers are about 20, 40, 24, 6, on the chest, abdomen and perineum, upper back, waist, respectively. All the flaps survived completely with primary healing both on donor and recipient sites. The flaps color, texture, function and appearance were satisfactory during the follow-up period of 1-24 months.

CONCLUSIONSThe adjacent horn shaped perforator fasciocutaneous flap should be designed flexibly. The defects in the donor sites could be closed directly without skin graft. It is an effective, easy and ideal method for the reconstruction of large defects in the trunk.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perforator Flap ; Skin Transplantation ; Torso ; surgery ; Young Adult

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of conjoint fascial sheath (CFS) suspension to correct the complications caused by the frontal muscle flap suspension and levator palpebrae superioris shortening in the treatment of severe blepharoptosis. Methods: From February 2017 to April 2018, 19 severe blepharoptosis patients (21 eyelids) were operated before by the frontal muscle flap suspension and levator plapebrae superioris shortening, and repaired through the technology of CFS suspension. Results: There were 19 cases, 17 cases operated by CFS suspension showed a good appearance and basically symmetrical of two eyes, and the other 2 cases obtained satisfactory results though reoperation. There were no complications of exposure keratitis, ectropion and infection occurred. Meantime the effect was satisfactory according to the follow-up ranging from 3 months to 12 months. Conclusions The application of conjoint fascial sheath (CFS) suspension shows a promising procedure in the treatment of severe blepharoptosis caused by the frontal muscle flap suspension and levator palpebrae superioris shortening.

Objective: To evaluate the application of the expanded free deltopectoral flap, pedicled with perforation of internal thoracic artery, in the repairment of middle to large facial skin and soft tissue defect. Methods: From June 2015 to December 2017, 11cases diagnosed with facial lesions were included in this study. The tissue defect of 10 cases were caused by burn, and 1 case by superficial tumor. In the first stage, the tissue expander was implanted into the internal thoracic artery supplying area. After the expander was fully expanded, the second surgery, i. e. the resection of facial lesion, was performed. The defect areas of patients, with the range of 9 cm×7 cm to 17 cm×10 cm, were repaired by expanded free deltopectoral flaps. Results: All flaps were survived, with no vascular crisis occurred. The size of flaps ranged from 10.0 cm×9.0 cm to 18.0 cm×11.5 cm. All the patients were satisfied with the outcomes, after 6 to 24 months follow-up. The color and texture of flaps was close to normal. The scars were acceptable. Conclusions The expanded free deltopectoral flap, pedicled with the perforator of internal thoracic artery, is a promising way to repair middle to large facial skin and soft tissue defect.