Retrospective study of experience of craniofacial reconstruction

Reconstruction is a basic task in craniofacial plastic surgery. Different methods must be used to meet the aspirations of surgeons and patients with different defects and deformities. We make a retrospective study of our experience of craniofacial reconstruction. In accordance with 10 years' clinical experience, direct suturing, skin graft transfer, nerve anastomosis, expanded pedicled or random flaps, facial local random flaps, reduction of mandibular fracture and correction of congenital craniofacial deformities were included in this case series. These types of treatment were applied to reconstruct facial defects or deformities according to different circumstances of patients. Directed by rational design and treatment, reconstructive surgery can be executed to treat different cases with different circumstances. A total of 891 different cases with different facial circumstances were treated with different methods: direct suturing (n = 93), skin graft transfer(n = 104), nerve anastomosis (n = 38), expanded pedicled or random flaps(n = 310), facial local random or pedicled flaps(n = 231), reduction of mandibular fracture(n = 112) and correction of congenital craniofacial deformities(n = 13). Reconstructive technique must be directed by reliable methods and special guidelines in Plastic Surgery. Three guidelines are summarised: reconstruction in the first stage and returning injured tissue to its origin site as far as possible for traumatic events; adjacent tissue must be prior to other distant tissue for reconstructive choice; and reconstruction at different stages after careful design.