Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2002;18(6):330-332

Repair of large facial defect with an expanded clavicular-pectoral skin flap.

Zhifei LIU 1 ; Qun QIAO ; Qixu ZHANG ; Jiaming SUN ; Jing GAO ; Yu ZHAO ; Ying YUE ; Guangci SUN

Affiliations

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Country

China

Language

Chinese

Abstract

OBJECTIVETo search for an ideal method to repair large facial defects.

METHODSOne or two soft tissue expanders were implanted at the clavicular-pectoral region. After fully expansion, a clavicular-pectoral skin flap was designed and created with similar color, texture, and size to the facial defect. The flap would pass over the neck and transfer to the face to repair a large defect.

RESULTS10 cases were treated with this method. All have been followed up for 12-18 months with satisfactory results.

CONCLUSIONThe large facial defects could be repaired by the expanded clavicular-pectoral skin flap without damaging the natural neck contour and donor site abnormality was avoided. The patients get an aesthetic look and good function.