Expanded Forehead Stepped Flaps for Delayed Three-Stage Repair of Midface Skin Lesions

BackgroundThe forehead flap is the best flap for nasal defect repair and nasal reconstruction. It is also an ideal option for repairing skin lesions in the midface (including the nasal area, inner area of the cheek, and upper lip of the perioral area). However, the traditional frontal myocutaneous flap is relatively bulky for repairing pure skin lesions. In addition, the original forehead flap is generally not sufficient to cover a large wound area. If a large forehead flap is removed, the donor site cannot be sutured in one stage. In this study, an expanded forehead stepped flap was used to overcome the shortcomings of the traditional frontal myocutaneous flap.MethodsIn stage one surgery, a rectangular expander (80–100 mL) was implanted on the side of the forehead. The expansion pot was built-in, and the excess expansion amount was 160–200 mL. After 4 weeks of rest, stage two operation was performed to remove the skin lesions in the midface. The pulsation point of the supratrochlear artery on one side was used as the pedicle, and the flap was designed diagonally to the upper region of the opposite side. The flap was designed according to the size and shape of the wound. The distal portion of the flap was separated in the superficial layer of the frontalis muscle, approximately 1.7 cm above the superior orbital edge, and cut into the submuscle. The flap pedicle was cut from the superficial layer of the periosteum to form a stepped flap. Then, the flap was rotated downward to repair the wound in the midface. Five weeks later, stage three of the operation which involved flap pedicle division, was performed.ResultsExpanded forehead stepped flaps were used in 12 cases with 6–36 months of follow-up. In all cases, the blood supply to the flaps was good, and their color, texture, and thickness matched well with those of the surrounding skin. All patients were satisfied with the outcome of the repair.ConclusionExpanded forehead stepped flaps present an ideal option for repairing wounds after large skin lesion resections in the midface since they have multiple edges from a reliable blood supply, easiness to transfer, and well-matched color, texture, and thickness to those of the surrounding skin of the face to no need for many auxiliary incisions.     

Three-Dimensional Nasal Reconstruction Using a Prefabricated Forehead Flap: Case Report

Surgical treatment is extremely difficult with the combined defects of skin, cartilage, and nasal mucosa. Besides efforts geared toward ascertaining the best aesthetic outcome, an important concern is restoring normal nasal function. This can be achieved only by providing sufficiently and anatomically adapted cartilage and bone support, followed by covering the inner part using tissue closely resembling mucosa and the outer part using skin compatible with the surrounding skin. The surgical technique for three-dimensional nasal reconstruction in the first session of this study involved placing a silicon sheet between the skin and galea, which allowed two separate flaps to be obtained for the next session without vascular damage. For the epithelialization of the defect on the nasal surface, the lower surface of the galea was prefabricated with a thin skin graft obtained from the thigh. In this way, nasal mucosa cover was ensured. The expander placed under all these structures thinned them down to a thickness close to that of nasal skin and mucosa and also enabled primary closure of the donor area. Thus, the defect that emerged during the second session in cartilage framework was repaired by cartilage grafts taken from the nasal septum. The mucosal surface and skin part then could be closed with two separate flaps. The forehead flap used in this technique enabled production of an aesthetically and functionally satisfactory outcome by providing an anatomically sufficient amount of nasal skin and nasal mucosa for whole-layer wide nasal defects in only three sessions without necessitating an additional flap.     

额部阶梯状皮瓣与肌、皮双瓣鼻再造术

目的　改良目前常用的额肌皮瓣鼻再造术 ,克服其形态臃肿 ,再造鼻高度受限等不足 ,进一步提高手术效果。方法　根据新观察到的滑车上动脉于眉上存在一相同走向的皮支的解剖特点 ,设计额部阶梯状皮瓣与肌、皮双瓣 ,前者用于克服肌皮瓣臃肿 ,再造鼻形态欠佳的缺点 ,一次成形鼻各组成结构。后者组成结构肌瓣用于构建鼻中隔结构 ,适用于复杂病例 ,并可增加再造鼻高度。结果　 9例患者术中均可见滑车上动脉于眶缘上 1 2～ 1 7cm开始有皮支行于皮下 ,且与对侧有交通支。术后皮瓣全部成活 ,其中 1例鼻小柱右侧支架外露 ,经二次手术修复痊愈。鼻各组成结构塑形良好。结论　额部阶梯状肌皮瓣和肌、皮双瓣适用于修复不同程度的鼻缺损 ,再造鼻形态较好 ,可为鼻再造的首选方法。     

Total Nasal Tip Defect: Bilateral Lateral Nasal Artery Flaps for Lining Reconstruction

Background In full-thickness nasal defects,the internal lining is perhaps the most challenging aspect of the three layers to rebuild.Nasal damage is usually more concentrated on the tip,soft triangles,alar wings,and columella,but the lateral nasal arteries are often left intact and the damage to the dorsal sidewalls are normally superficial.Methods Twelve patients who required total nasal reconstruction received a forehead flap placement as external coverage and autologous rib cartilage as structural support.Residual normal/superficial scar tissue flaps on the dorsal sidewalls with lateral nasal artery pedicles were mobilized and designed for internal lining repair without creating secondary donor site damage.The flaps were then turned 180°downward and placed between the alar medial angles and the fornix.Results No total lining flap necrosis occurred in all the patients.Partial necrosis occurred on the distal edge owing to overpressure of the nostril splint to the flaps;however,the wounds eventually healed,and the nasal structural integrity was preserved.The patients were satisfied with the aesthetic results and had no complaints of airway stenosis.Conclusions Lateral nasal artery pedicle dorsal sidewall skin flaps are appropriately thick,providing enough nostril circumferential support to improve airway stenosis.It allows sufficient blood supply and creates no extra donor site damage.Blood vessels and skin flaps are often undamaged,thereby allowing maximum application in total nasal reconstruction.     

Skin grafted forehead flap for total nasal reconstruction in severe postburn facial deformity

Summary Total or subtotal nasal loss is one of the sequelae of severe facial burns and requires total nasal reconstruction. Distant flaps or tube pedicles were used but the result was not good in terms of skin color match and texture. Since 1982 the authors have used a skin grafted forehead flap for nasal reconstruction and have achieved a better color match for the new nose. This forehead flap is quite rigid and a bone graft is not needed for support. However, the flap is not as easily brought down to the nasal area as the standard forehead flap; thus, in the last five cases the supraorbital and the supratrochlear arteries on both sides had to be sacrificed. There was no compromise of the blood supply to the flap and the mechanism by which the flap retains its good blood supply remains to be elucidated.     

应用前额岛状皮瓣快速扩张法行鼻再造术

为探讨前额岛状皮瓣快速扩张法行鼻再造术的可行性及手术方法和注意事项。手术分两期完成。Ⅰ期手术为额部扩张器埋置。均采用１００ｍｌ圆柱形扩张器,术中适量注水,术后快速扩张,注水量最大１５５ｍｌ,最少１２０ｍｌ,平均约１４０ｍｌ。Ⅱ期鼻成形术于Ⅰ期术后７～１４天进行。临床上成功地运用了１５例,均取得了满意的效果,术后随访扩张皮瓣无明显回缩。前额岛状皮瓣快速扩张法行鼻再造术效果满意,扩张时间缩短至１０天左右     

滑车上血管蒂额部皮瓣转移鼻再造术

目的探讨改进额部皮瓣的设计及转移方式行Ⅰ期鼻再造术。方法通过颈内、外动脉造影的影像学资料观察额部血供来源及分布情况,设计以一侧滑车上血管为蒂的额部不同部位皮瓣行鼻再造。额部存在多源性血供,滑车上动脉、眶上动脉于额骨眉突平面发出多条分支,颞浅动脉额支可见1条恒定、较粗大的水平分支,向额中部延伸,上述3条血管分支构成了额部丰富的肌层、皮下组织层血管网,呈立体分布。利用一侧滑车上血管为蒂分别切取同侧或对侧额部皮瓣,共行鼻再造术9例。结果9例受术者皮瓣完全成活,再造鼻形态、功能均满意。结论以滑车上血管为蒂设计的额部跨区供血的皮瓣血运丰富,瓣远端分离出的肌筋膜瓣可以较好地包裹软骨支架,同时分离后的皮瓣更利于塑形,可以满足鼻再造的需求。     

应用额部靴形皮瓣行全鼻再造术的体会

目的探讨应用额部靴形皮瓣进行全鼻再造的手术体会。方法在额旁正中皮瓣及额斜皮瓣的基础上设计额部靴形皮瓣,即以一侧滑车上动脉为蒂,皮瓣的“靴筒”部为皮瓣岛状转移的蒂部;而皮瓣的主体为越过额部的正中线直达对侧颞区的横向皮瓣,其中包括对侧滑车动脉供血区及颞浅动脉供血区。结果2005年3月至2006年1月,应用此靴形皮瓣对2例鼻缺损患者行Ⅰ期全鼻再造。术后随访2例患者6～9个月,再造鼻均获成功,鼻的外形及通气功能均良好,效果满意。结论应用额部靴形皮瓣进行的全鼻再造的手术方法,具有操作方便、皮瓣的血供可靠、手术可Ⅰ期完成、术后效果良好等优点,是修复鼻缺损的良好的手术方法。     

改良前额旁正中皮瓣在鼻缺损修复和再造中的临床应用

目的 探讨携带少量额肌的前额旁正中皮瓣行鼻缺损修复和鼻再造术的可行性和临床意义.方法 采用仅蒂部携带额肌的改良旁正中皮瓣法,完成2例鼻再造和7例鼻缺损修复术.除眶上区的蒂部携带少量额肌外,皮瓣获取均在皮下层次.皮瓣的轴线角度从垂直90°到倾斜50°不等,其中3例低发际线患者,采用倒L形设计.结果 一期皮瓣形成和二期皮瓣断蒂术中,观察到长距离行走皮下脂肪层的滑车上血管皮支的存在,以及良好的动脉灌注压.8例皮瓣全部成活,皮瓣质地和色泽良好.采用皮下蒂法1例术后皮瓣周边血运障碍,经换药自愈.结论 滑车上血管皮支的存在是改良旁正中皮瓣应用的解剖学基础.仅蒂部携带少量额肌的旁正中皮瓣具有设计较灵活,成活良好,质地合适,皮肤颜色匹配,以及供区损伤更小等优点.采用改良旁正中皮瓣行鼻再造或鼻缺损修复,能满足血运和形态的双重要求.     

运用额部阶梯状皮瓣修复烧伤后鼻部畸形

目的探讨烧伤后鼻部畸形的修复方法。方法选择烧伤后鼻部有多个亚单位存在瘢痕挛缩或缺损的患者,其额部皮肤正常或留有浅表瘢痕。依照鼻部美学亚单位分布或整个鼻部单元,切除鼻部挛缩的瘢痕及部分正常皮肤,以使创面规则完整、移位的鼻翼及外翻的鼻黏膜复位。松解、切除鼻翼软骨与鼻侧软骨之间的瘢痕,以显现鼻翼沟。而鼻尖亚单位区的瘢痕则给予部分保留。若有衬里缺损,可翻转瘢痕瓣或周围正常皮肤制作衬里。以一侧滑车上动脉在眶上的皮支为蒂,形成额部正中或旁正中三叶状皮瓣。分离时,皮瓣大部在额肌表面掀起,近蒂部时达额肌下,呈阶梯状。皮瓣分离后,带蒂转移修复鼻部创面,供区移植皮片。3周后断蒂、修整。结果本组12例,术中均发现滑车上动脉在眶上1.5-2.0cm水平出现皮支走行于皮下。术后皮瓣均成活,随访3-12个月,鼻外形逼真,皮瓣色泽与周围皮肤相近,瘢痕不明显,通气良好。其中5例额部供区移植皮片后皮片色素沉着显著,3个月后行扩张皮瓣修复。结论以滑车上动脉眶上皮支为蒂的额部阶梯状皮瓣是修复烧伤后鼻畸形的一个良好选择。     

The use of mucosa-lined flap in nasal reconstruction

Summary A relatively new method of nasal reconstruction using a mucosa-lined flap is described. Surgery with mucosa-lined flaps is not yet commonly performed. Two cases are described in which this technique was employed. In the first case, a deeply penetrating squamous cell carcinoma of the right side of the nose, including the nasal mucosa, was excised. The nasal lining defect was closed with a free full thickness oral mucosa graft, and a median forehead flap was used to cover the nasal defect. In the second case, an ulcerated squamous cell carcinoma on the left side of the nose was excised and two-stage reconstruction performed. During the first stage, a free oral mucosa graft was transplanted into the nasal defect with its mucosal surface facing into the nasal cavity. A median forehead island flap was transferred to cover the inner layer of the graft. In the second stage, the obliterated nasal orifice was opened, and the inner lining was constructed by a segment of oral mucosa wrapped around a silicone nostril retainer. Application of an oral mucosa-lined flap would seem to be a superior method for nose reconstruction, since it does not distort the shape of the nose, and it reestablishes a patent nostril and preserves the delicate appearance of the nose.     

不同耳再造术式在复杂耳缺损病例中的运用

目的 根据耳郭缺损患者乳突区组织生理特性的差异,运用不同的耳再造术式完成耳郭再造,探讨个性化耳郭再造的可行性。方法 2012年6月至2016年10月,针对乳突区组织生理特性的不同,分别运用耳后皮肤扩张法完成耳郭再造6例,耳后筋膜皮瓣扩张法完成耳郭再造1例,Nagata二期法完成耳郭再造4例,所有患者均以自体肋软骨作为耳支架制作材料。结果 术后随访10～24个月(平均15个月)。11例患者及家属对再造耳郭形态满意。全部患者均无胸廓畸形及耳支架软骨局部外露、感染等并发症。结论 根据乳突区组织生理特性的差别,个性化选择不同的手术方法,有利于获得理想的再造耳外形。     

A systematic approach to primary closure of the donor site following transposition of vertical forehead flaps

Summary 20 patients who underwent transposition of a vertical forehead flap for defects of the middle third of the face over a 30 month period are reported and evaluated by the authors. On the basis of the width of the secondary forehead defect, the best technique of direct closure was determined. More simple cases were resolved by careful application of basic techniques of plastic surgery (i.e. undermining, scalp flap rotation). When a forehead defect of more than 4.5 cm in width is expected, previous forehead skin expansion seemed advisable. The results are presented and evaluated. Primary, tension-free closure of the forehead defect was achieved in every case, thus significantly improving the aesthetic result of the operation.     

Reconstruction Using Locoregional Flaps for Large Skull Base Defects

We present a modified locoregional flap for the reconstruction of large anterior skull base defects that should be reconstructed with a free flap according to Yano''s algorithm. No classification of skull base defects had been proposed for a long time. Yano et al suggested a new classification in 2012. The lb defect of Yano''s classification extends horizontally from the cribriform plate to the orbital roof. According to Yano''s algorithm for subsequent skull base reconstructive procedures, a lb defect should be reconstructed with a free flap such as an anterolateral thigh free flap or rectus abdominis myocutaneous free flap. However, our modified locoregional flap has also enabled reconstruction of lb defects. In this case series, we used a locoregional flap for lb defects. No major postoperative complications occurred. We present our modified locoregional flap that enables reconstruction of lb defects.