An algorithm for using expanded cervical flaps to resurface facial defects based on five different methods

For patients with healthy skin in the cervical region, the expanded cervical flap method is highly recommended for resurfacing facial skin defects. Many methods exist that use an expanded cervical flap. However, a gold standard for selecting the appropriate method for each patient is lacking. Here, we introduce 5 basic principles for how to use an expanded cervical flap and an algorithm for selecting the appropriate method.

The authors reviewed the medical records for all patients treated with an expanded cervical flap to restore a facial skin lesion in Shanghai's Ninth People's Hospital between 2010 and 2015.

We summarized the 5 techniques according to different types of facial deformities: (1) an advancement of the expanded cervical flap; (2) an expanded cervical flap that is rotated toward the temporal side (the rotation pivot is located in the angle of the mandible); (3) an expanded cervical flap that is rotated toward the nasal side (the rotation pivot is located in the mentum; (4) an expanded cervical flap that is rotated cephalically along the midline toward the lower third of the face (the rotation pivot is located in the bilateral angle of the mandible); and (5) a prefabricated cervical flap that is used with superficial temporal vessels.

By using this algorithm and following five basic principles, all facial defects except for those on the nose and forehead can be resurfaced using an expanded cervical skin flap.