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The Cervicofacial Flap in Cheek Reconstruction: A Guide for Flap Design
Al Haitham Al Shetawi1, Anastasiya Quimby2, Rui Fernandes3
1Fellow, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction, Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida Health, Jacksonville, FL.
Purpose:
The cervicofacial (CF) flap is a random-pattern flap that provides an excellent match for cheek reconstruction. The design of the CF flap varies between different cheek subunits. In this report, the authors review their experience with this flap and present a guide for flap design for different cheek subunits.
Materials And Methods:
Patients who had cheek reconstruction were screened using the database of the surgical procedures from 2011 to 2016. Seventy-four patients were identified. Data on patient demographics, diagnosis, defect type, and outcome were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who did not have a clear description of the defect or flap design were excluded from the study. The authors divided the cheek into 3 zones and created a guide for flap design for each zone.
Results:
Twenty-eight patients with CF flap for cheek reconstruction met the inclusion criteria (21 male [75%] and 7 female [25%]; mean age, 57 yr; range, 8 to 88 yr). Fifty-seven percent had zone A defects, 18% had zone B1 defects, 14% had zone B2 defects, and 11% had multiple-zone defects. Mean follow-up was 4.6 months (0 to 17 months). Ninety-three percent had a successful outcome. Only 2 patients developed wound complications.
Conclusion:
The CF flap is a versatile flap that provides excellent skin color, thickness, and texture match in cheek reconstruction. Planning the flap design is essential to achieve a good outcome. The present algorithm provides a straightforward method to reliably design the CF flap for cheek reconstruction.
