[Microsurgical soft tissue transplantation]

Since the first microsurgical transplantation in 1971, numerous tissue regions which are appropriate for transplantation have been researched. In particular, cutaneous or fasciocutaneous and musculocutaneous, as well as jejunum and fat tissue transplants are involved. In maxillofacial surgery, predominantly radial underarm flaps and scapular or parascapular flaps are used. The indications for both kinds of flaps range from intraoral defects, including tongue defects, and defects after maxillary resection, to defects following tumor resection of the face. In the framework of radical tumor surgery involving regional lymph drainage ducts, the musculus latissimus dorsi flaps and the musculus rectus abdominis flaps are indicated for the covering of deep-reaching defects. Jejunum transplants are appropriate mainly in the region of the soft palate and pharyngeal walls. Free microsurgical fat tissue transplants are indicated for extensive subcutaneous defects. The technique of lifting transplants and transferring them is so refined that results are comparable to those attained by using conventional flaps.