The Dog-Ear Rotation Flap for the Repair of Large Surgical Defects on the Head and Neck

BACKGROUND: The Mohs micrographic surgeon is often faced with the daunting challenge of having to repair very large surgical defects on the head and neck where cosmesis and maintenance of normal function are of paramount importance. OBJECTIVE: We describe a novel flap, the dog-ear rotation flap, for the repair of such defects. We will demonstrate that this flap offers superior cosmetic and functional results to many other closure options, particularly for extensive defects of the cheek, temple, forehead and scalp. METHODS: The dog-ear rotation flap is a combination repair. It is executed by first closing one end of the surgical defect in a primary side-to-side-fashion, to a point at which tension across the wound precludes any further closure. A rotation flap is then developed to close the remaining defect, using tissue from the large dog-ear created at the distal end of the wound. RESULTS: In our experience, the dog-ear rotation flap is able to close substantial head and neck defects with less tension across the wound edges when compared to other closure types, resulting in diminished scarring and little to no distortion of surrounding anatomic structures. It also provides an excellent tissue match, is relatively quick and easy to perform, and has an extremely low incidence of flap necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: The dog-ear rotation flap is an excellent choice for the repair of very large surgical defects on the head and neck, particularly the cheek, temple, forehead and scalp, and, in our experience, provides a superior cosmetic and functional result to other closure options.     

Reducing Opposed Multilobed Flap Repair, a New Technique for Managing Medium-Sized Low-Leg Defects Following Skin Cancer Surgery

BACKGROUND: Following skin cancer excision, skin defects on the low leg between 10 and 35 mm in diameter can be problematic. Direct closure of the wound risks excessive wound tension and wound dehiscence. Skin grafts heal slowly and often remain unsightly. Traditional skin flaps have a limited role. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to develop a random-pattern skin flap that offers significant advantages over traditional techniques including grafting. METHODS: The reducing opposed multilobed flap involves a series of semicircular lobes extending both cephalic and caudal from the defect. The technique involves lobes most distant from the primary defect being transposed in turn closer to the defect. The technique does not result in the unnecessary excision of Burrows triangle skin. RESULTS: The reducing opposed multilobed (ROM) flap reduces skin tension concerns, lowers the risk of flap necrosis, and allows for quicker and more aesthetic healing. After 20 cases, we have yet to experience dehiscence, infection, or delayed healing. The healing wound is resistant to contraction and invariably produces an acceptable aesthetic outcome. CONCLUSION: The ROM flap repair allows the dermatologic surgeon an additional option when faced with a medium-sized lower leg defect following skin cancer excision.     

A safe and simple technique using the distal pedicled reversed upper arm flap to cover large elbow defects.

The reconstruction of large soft-tissue defects at the elbow is hard to achieve by conventional techniques and is complicated by the difficulty of transferring sufficient tissue with adequate elasticity and sensate skin. Surgical treatment should permit early mobilisation to avoid permanent functional impairment. Clinical experience with the distal pedicled reversed upper arm flap in 10 patients suffering from large elbow defects is presented (seven male, three female; age 40-70 years). The patient sample included six patients with chronic ulcer, two with tissue defects due to excision of a histiocytoma, and one patient with burn contracture. In the two cases of histiocytoma, defect closure of the elbow's ulnar area was achieved by using a recurrent medial upper arm flap. In the eight other patients we used a flap from the lateral upper arm with a flap rotation of 180 degrees. Average wound size ranged from 4 to 10 cm, average wound area from 30 to 80 cm(2). Flap dimensions ranged from 15 x 8 cm for the lateral upper arm flap to 29 x 8 cm for the medial upper arm flap. The inferior posterior radial and ulnar collateral arteries are the major nutrient vessels of the reversed lateral and medial upper arm flaps. Perforating vessels are identified preoperatively using colour Doppler ultrasonography. Flap failure did not occur. Secondary wound closure became necessary due to initial wound healing difficulties in one patient. Mean operation time was 1.5 h and mean follow-up period 12 months. Good defect coverage with tension-free wound closure was achieved in all cases. Stable defect coverage led to long-term wound stability without any restriction of elbow movement. The lateral and medial upper arm flaps represent a safe and reliable surgical treatment option for large elbow defects. The surgical technique is comparatively simple and quick.     

The Keystone Design Perforator Island Flap in reconstructive surgery

Background: A surgical technique for closing skin defects following skin cancer (particularly melanoma) removal is described in the present paper. Its use is illustrated in five patients. The technique has been used in 300 cases over the past 7 years and is suitable for all areas of the body from scalp to foot. We have coined the term Keystone Design Perforator Island Flap (KDPIF) because of its curvilinear shaped trapezoidal design borrowed from architectural terminology. It is essentially elliptical in shape with its long axis adjacent to the long axis of the defect. The flap is based on randomly located vascular perforators. The wound is closed directly, the mid‐line area is the line of maximum tension and by V‐Y advancement of each end of the flap, the ‘islanded’ flap fills the defect. This allows the secondary defect on the opposite side to be closed, exploiting the mobility of the adjacent surrounding tissue. The importance of blunt dissection is emphasized in raising these perforator island flaps as it preserves the vascular integrity of the musculocutaneous and fasciocutaneous perforators together with venous and neural connections. The keystone flap minimizes the need for skin grafting in the majority of cases and produces excellent aesthetic results. Four types of flaps are described: Type I (direct closure), Type II (with or without grafting), Type III (employs a double island flap technique), and Type IV (involves rotation and advancement with or without grafting). The patient is almost pain free in the postoperative phase. Early mobilization is possible, allowing this technique to be used in short stay patients. Results: In a series of 300 patients with flaps situated over the extremities, trunk and facial region, primary wound healing was achieved in 99.6% with one out of 300 developing partial necrosis of the flap. Conclusions: The technique described in the present article offers a simple and effective method of wound closure in situations that would otherwise have required complex flap closure or skin grafting particularly for melanoma.     

Use of the "Spiral" Flap for Closure of Small Defects of the Nasal Ala

BACKGROUND: Multiple wound closure options exist for cutaneous defects of the nasal ala. The best option depends on the depth, size, and location of the defect. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate a modification of the traditional rotation flap for closure of small alar defects. METHODS: The design and execution of the "spiral" flap for closure of a representative defect are described. RESULTS: Immediate and delayed postoperative views demonstrate expected outcome. CONCLUSION: The spiral flap modification of the rotation flap is a simple and elegant closure option for small nasal alar defects.     

Propeller flap donor site closure by means of another propeller flap: A case report and literature review

Despite some ongoing criticisms, propeller flaps are still gaining popularity among plastic surgeons. The need of skin grafting of the donor site is one of those limitations that sometime affect the beauty and the efficacy of this reconstructive technique. Similar to a classic bi-lobed skin flap in which the second lobe of the same flap is mobilized to cover the donor site defect of the first lobe, a second, discrete propeller flap can be harvested adjacent to the first, in order to close the first donor site defect, thus avoiding the need for a skin graft. We applied this concept of “sequential” propeller flaps to cover a 4.5 × 4 cm full thickness soft tissue defect at the level of the heel in a 54-year-old patient who underwent melanoma excision and sentinel node biopsy.The first and second propeller flaps of 10 × 4.5 cm respectively were rotated on a distal and on a more proximal perforator of the posterior tibial artery (PTA) respectively, obtaining a tension free closure along the entire wound. The post-operative course was uneventful and the patient returned to full normal activities after 4 weeks. Follow up at 6 months showed a stable reconstruction with no functional deficit. This option, that relies on two separate perforator propeller flaps performed in sequence to obtain complete wound closure, may be kept in mind when dealing with soft tissue defects eligible for propeller flap reconstruction, as long as sizeable perforators in a favorable position are available. Moreover, a brief literature review on propeller flap use in flap donor site closure is also provided.     

Use of the Z-Plasty Technique for Forehead Defects

BACKGROUND: Surgical defects of the forehead are commonplace for the Mohs surgeon. The relaxed skin tension lines (RSTLs) of this region allow for repairs ranging from direct linear closures to more complex advancement flaps. Defects in which the longitudinal axis orients perpendicular to the RSTLs, whether secondary to wound shape or ease of tissue movement, present a somewhat more challenging problem. OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of the Z-plasty in repairing forehead surgical defects. METHOD: We illustrate two Mohs surgical cases in which the size and location of the forehead defect did not allow for a straightforward and cosmetically acceptable closure. Tissue mobility and defect shape permitted design and implementation of a Z-plasty. RESULTS: Use of the Z-plasty technique allowed a portion of the vertical incision line to be reoriented within the forehead RSTLs, producing a favorable cosmetic outcome. CONCLUSION: Forehead defects that are shaped such that the long axis is perpendicular to the RSTLs or located in a region where tissue mobility more easily permits a vertical closure can present a challenge for the reconstructive surgeon. Knowledge of tissue mechanics and use of rotation and advancement make the Z-plasty a favorable option in many of these situations.     

Rotation Flaps

Background. Rotation flaps are arcuate repairs that redistribute tension vectors and recruit adjacent and/or distant tissue laxity. Rotation allows for the closure of wounds that cannot be repaired along a single tension vector. A rich and evolving literature details the evolution of rotation as an elegant method of repair for surgical wounds.
Objective. The goal of this article is to understand the basic principles and proper execution of tissue rotation for the repair of facial operative wounds, with special attention given to the concept of pivotal restraint and with a step-by-step regional approach.
Methods and Materials. A review of the literature of dermatologic surgery, plastic surgery, and otolaryngology leads to a detailed understanding of rotation flap design and execution.
Results. Proper rotation flap design allows for the closure of large and complex wounds that will not close along one motion while minimizing tension vectors that affect adjacent free margins.
Conclusions. The concept and execution of rotation are integral to the practice of dermatologic surgery. Proper design and undermining are essential to create an adequately sized flap and to free pivotal restraint to facilitate wound closure. In many cases, the arc of a rotation flap may be hidden within a natural cosmetic boundary, allowing for an elegant and minimally visible reconstruction.     

Primary skin closure of large groin defects after inguinal lymphadenectomy for penile cancer using an abdominal cutaneous advancement flap

PURPOSE Large groin defects may be created after inguinal lymphadenectomy for bulky metastatic penile cancer. We describe a new method of primary closure of a large groin skin defect.MATERIALS AND METHODS In 3 patients with large volume inguinal lymph node metastases with skin breakdown and secondary infection extensive inguinal lymphadenectomy was done with wide surgical excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue. The procedures resulted in a large groin defect. Sartorius muscle was transferred to cover the femoral vessels. An abdominal advancement cutaneous flap was placed for soft tissue and skin coverage of the wound.RESULTS Primary closure of a large skin defect was possible using an abdominal advancement flap. In all patients the wound healed primarily with good cosmesis. A single patient underwent postoperative external beam radiation therapy to the flap site with no untoward effect on graft survival.CONCLUSIONS Large groin skin defects can be closed primarily using an abdominal advancement flap. This technique may also be used for bilateral groin defects. Compared with other types of flaps advocated for this purpose the main advantages of the procedure are simplicity, lower morbidity and superior cosmetic results.     

Efficient design of a latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap to repair large skin defects of the upper back

Closing large skin defects of the upper back is a challenging problem. We have developed an efficient design for a latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap for reconstruction in this region. The longitudinal axis of the skin island was designed to be perpendicular to the line of least skin tension at the recipient site so that primary closure of the flap donor site changed the shape of the recipient site to one that was easier to close. We used this method for four patients with skin cancers or soft‐tissue sarcomas of the upper back in 2011 and 2012. The size of skin defects after wide excision ranged from 11 × 10 to 25 × 20 cm², and all skin defects could be covered by the flaps and all wounds of donor site could be closed without skin grafts. No wound complications occurred in any patient. Functional and aesthetic outcomes were satisfactory in all patients. This flap design is effective for reconstructing large skin defects of the upper back. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 34:20–22, 2014.     

The role of soft tissue reconstruction after melanoma resection in the head and neck

INTRODUCTION: Reconstruction after wide local excision of melanomas in the head and neck can be formidable. Many tumors lie close to vital structures, and excision must carefully balance preservation of form and function. For small defects, primary closure or skin grafting is satisfactory. However, it has become increasingly evident that more advanced reconstructive procedures can improve the outcome in terms of both function and aesthetics. This study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of flap closure after wide local excision of melanomas in the head and neck and to develop a set of surgical recommendations on the basis of our experience. METHOD: We reviewed 35 patients who underwent 39 flap closures at The University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center after wide local excision of head and neck melanomas. Local flaps were primarily used to close defects after the resection of superficial or intermediate-thickness melanomas. Pedicle and free flaps were used to cover larger defects resulting from the excision of extensive tumors. The flap closures were compared with an analogous database of 560 melanoma resections that underwent primary closure or skin grafting. RESULTS: The mean age of the patient population was 57 years. The most common location for tumor presentation was the cheek, followed by the ear, forehead, and lip. Pathologic findings most commonly demonstrated superficial spreading melanoma, and the average defect size was 30.7 cm2. Local flaps were used most often for reconstruction. The only variable that significantly predicted local recurrence was the depth of the tumor. Local, pedicle, or free flaps did not decrease the ability of detecting local recurrence or increase this number compared with primary closure and skin grafting. Major postoperative complications were detected in seven patients. We found flap closure to achieve excellent functional and aesthetic results. CONCLUSION: Although primary closure is the ideal method of reconstruction for small defects, flap closure provides a versatile and safe alternative when simple closure would yield unsatisfactory results. With careful planning, flap closure offers an exceptional functional and aesthetic result and may even enhance contour defects after extensive neck or parotid dissections. Moreover, our experience with flap closure did not appear to delay the detection of local recurrence and may have even served to decrease the incidence of local failure after wide local excision of head and neck melanomas.     

Axillary hidradenitis suppurativa: wide excision and flap coverage is best

Summary The extent of axillary excision and method of closure in 17 patients (29 axillae) with symptomatic chronic axillary hidradenitis suppurativa was analyzed. Limited excision of only the diseased skin led to recurrence in 2 of 3 patients, and excision of the hair-bearing skin alone, in 2 of 5 patients. There was no recurrence in 11 patients after wide excision. Some patients had more than one procedure. Three of four patients who had skin grafts used for closure, developed axillary contractures. Primary closure was achieved successfully in 7 patients (14 axillae). Flap coverage was used to close 12 axillae in 9 patients (3 patients had both axillae treated). These flaps included Limberg 4; random fasciocutaneous 3; parascapular fasciocutaneous: 5. Our experience suggests that wound closure after wide excision in the axilla is best achieved by means of a flap. While smaller defects can be closed with random fasciocutaneous flaps, wide axillary excision often leads to a large defect. The fasciocutaneous parascapular flap should be considered where a large defect exists.     

Repair of Defects on Nasal Sebaceous Skin

Background. Reconstructive procedures performed on sebaceous nasal skin are prone to partial flap necrosis, scar spread and inversion, and tissue mismatch. An ideal repair would optimize vascular integrity, minimize closure tension, and use adjacent tissue.
Objective. The purpose of this article is to describe a flap design and dynamics that permit satisfactory reconstruction of small- to medium-sized defects on nasal sebaceous tissue.
Methods. A modified advancement flap is described that may be used on central and off-midline defects of the nasal tip.
Results. Use of the modified advancement flap resulted in good cosmetic results with few adverse postsurgical events.
Conclusions. The modified advancement flap satisfies the requirements of a hardy blood supply, minimization of closure tension, and use of adjacent tissue. The surgical results are predictable and rarely associated with complications.     

V-Y advancement flaps for tumor excision defects of the eyelids

Resection of cutaneous malignancies of the medial canthus and lower lid create challenging wound closure problems. The V-Y flap closure technique achieves wound closure using adjacent tissue while minimizing closure tension. Twenty-three patients underwent resection of basal cell carcinomas in these two anatomical regions. In 22 patients a single V-Y flap was used to close the defect. In 1 patient two flaps were used. There were 2 patients with transient ectropion. No tissue loss or other complications occurred.     

Lower back defect coverage using a free-style gluteal perforator flap

Lower back defects remain a major challenge for reconstructive surgeons. Advances in perforator flap techniques now make it possible to repair lower back defects using a gluteal perforator flap based on the free-style flap design. We used a free-style gluteal perforator flap in 10 patients with lower back defects due to skin cancer treatment (6 patients) or infection following spine surgery (4 patients). V-Y advancement flaps were used for defects <6 cm in length, and rotation flaps for defects >6 cm. Perforators were detected at the upper parasacral area, and the flap design was drawn on the skin of the upper gluteal region. Coverage was successful and donor sites were closed primarily in all cases. There were 4 complicated cases: 1 of partial flap loss that led to delay of the wound closure, 2 of initial venous congestion, and 1 of hematoma. These complications resolved, and there was no case of flap loss during a 12 to 62 months follow-up (mean, 32.4 months). The present series indicated that the free-style gluteal perforator flap provides a safe, effective, and relatively easy option for lower back defect reconstruction.     

The pear-shaped modification of the lower trapezius flap

A series of six patients is presented to demonstrate the pear-shaped modification of the lower trapezius musculocutaneous pedicled island flap. Five patients underwent reconstruction of defects following extended temporal bone and skull base resection, and one following excision of a radionecrotic ulcer over the scapular spine. All flaps survived completely; there was one minor complication of a donor site seroma. This flap is useful for reconstruction up to the level of the ear and has an excellent arc of rotation. The advantages of the pear-shaped modification are a decrease in the skin tension at the point of closure over the vascular pedicle, and an increase in the contact area between the skin paddle and underlying muscle. Received: 4 May 1998 / Accepted: 29 September 1999     

Application of V.A.C.-therapy during plastic surgical treatment of a bifocal Marjolin ulcer

Marjolin ulcers are scar carcinomas most often found in old instable burn scars, the majority histopathologically characterized as squamous cell carcinomas. Surgical therapy includes radical excision and subsequent defect closure. We report about a 69 year old patient suffering from two scar carcinomas on the right cheek and right chest and abdomen due to an extensive infant burn injury. During a 2 stage procedure, both ulcers were initially excised and resulting soft tissue defects were closed temporarily by applying V.A.C. therapy. During a second procedure defect closure on the right cheek was achieved by using a free radial forearm flap following neck dissection. Additionally, the extensive defect including chest and abdominal wall as well as the flap donor site on the left forearm were covered with split thickness skin grafts and subsequently secured by applying V.A.C. therapy for 5 days. 13 days later, the patient was discharged from our clinic. All skin grafted areas as well as the free flap were stably healed. Our report demonstrates that the application of vacuum therapy is not only useful during temporary closure of large wound sites but also secures healing of large and critical areas grafted with split thickness skin grafts in tumour patients.     

Bilateral Vermilion Rotation Flap

BACKGROUND: Principles of aesthetic reconstruction recommend repair within cosmetic units with tissue of similar color, texture, and thickness. Because of the central facial location and primary functional and aesthetic importance of the lips, successful repair is critical in this location. Numerous procedures to reconstruct the lip have been reported; however, many result in a significant decrease in the oral aperture as well as dysesthesias, limitation of mobility, and significant scarring. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe a reconstructive option that repairs with skin of similar characteristics and avoids crossing into adjacent cosmetic subunits or sacrifice of normal skin or muscle. The proposed procedure is able to repair surgical defects up to 40% of the vermilion width in one stage and minimize the risk of nerve damage, scarring, or functional impairment. METHODS: The bilateral vermilion rotation flap permits repair within cosmetic subunits, repairs with skin of identical surface characteristics, and avoids surgery to the adjacent cutaneous or muscular portions of the lip. By keeping the pedicle intact, injury to neurovascular structures is minimized. RESULTS: The procedure provides an excellent repair for selected defects of the vermilion lip by following guidelines for optimum aesthetic and functional repair (i.e., repair within cosmetic subunits using skin of identical characteristics while avoiding trauma to the uninvolved cutaneous lip or orbicularis oris). CONCLUSION: The bilateral vermilion rotation flap is a useful technique for repair of surgical defects on the vermilion lip. It avoids unnecessary sacrifice of cutaneous or muscular lip tissue and provides an excellent cosmetic and functional result.     

应用颈浅动脉皮瓣修复颈部放射性溃疡

目的探讨应用颈浅动脉皮瓣修复颈部放射性溃疡的方法和临床效果。方法2016年1月至2019年6月,暨南大学附属广州红十字会医院烧伤整形科采用颈浅动脉皮瓣修复颈部放射溃疡11例。溃疡发生距放疗平均13.4年,面积1 cm×2 cm~3 cm×7 cm,广泛纤维化。术前取材病理检查,清创宽度包括溃疡及周围纤维化组织,控制深度,避免损伤颈部大血管。清创后创面大小6 cm×9 cm~8 cm×13 cm。以肩峰水平脊柱旁4~5 cm处为皮瓣旋转点,以术前多普勒血流探测仪探测的颈浅动脉筋膜皮支血管走行方向为长轴设计皮瓣,旋转点到皮瓣近侧缘的距离大于其到创面近侧缘距离约2 cm,皮瓣大小超出创面大小约2 cm。分离出蒂部血管后顺行切取皮瓣,转移到颈部修复放射性溃疡切除后缺损。供区边缘适当游离2~3 cm,如缝合张力较小可行真皮层远位减张直接缝合,如张力较大则采用部分缝合,缩小创面后以中厚皮片移植修复。观察患者术后情况。结果本组11例患者的溃疡组织病理检查均提示明显纤维组织增生胶原化并小灶状钙化,局部区域坏死,间质大量淋巴细胞、单核细胞等慢性炎性细胞并少量中性粒细胞等急性炎性细胞浸润,排除肿瘤复发。11例患者中4例行供瓣区预扩张,其余7例均为皮瓣一期切取后转移,皮瓣大小8 cm×11 cm~10 cm×15 cm。8例采用颈肩胛皮瓣修复,3例采用颈背皮瓣修复。供瓣区8例真皮层远位减张后直接缝合,3例缩小创面后中厚皮片移植修复。其中10例皮瓣完全成活,伤口一期愈合。1例皮瓣远端小范围坏死,通过创面换药和二期植皮后痊愈。随访6~24个月,溃疡无复发。所有患者放射性溃疡均得到有效修复,术区外观、功能良好。结论颈部放射性溃疡是颈部放疗后较严重的远期并发症,颈浅动脉皮瓣靠近颈部、血运丰富、解剖恒定、供区隐蔽,是治疗颈部放射性溃疡切实可行的方法之一。