Pre-Expanded Submental Island Flap for Resurfacing Middle and Lower Facial Defect

Resurfacing large facial defect is a continuing challenge for plastic surgeons. Skin graft or free flap is hard to obtain satisfactory results or is beyond the skill of most surgeons. The authors performed 13 expended submental island flaps to resurface middle and lower facial defects and achieved satisfactory results. In the first stage operation, the authors implanted one soft tissue expander in the anterior neck region which was expanded over an average of 3 months. In the second stage operation, the authors elevated the expanded submental island flap to resurface facial defect. For the patients who request aesthetic results and allow 2-stage operation, our method provides more satisfactory results. This technique does not require any special skills and is well within the skill of most plastic surgeons.