Repair of large and medium size facial skin and soft tissue defects by the free expanded deltopectoral flap / 中华整形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

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.