Revisiting the Limberg flap for central midface reconstruction in elderly patients

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery
• Geriatric Medicine

Background:

• Central midface defects pose reconstruction challenges, particularly in elderly patients.
• Existing reconstructive options may have limitations regarding anesthesia, recovery, or aesthetic outcomes in this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Limberg flap for central midface reconstruction in elderly patients.
• To assess patient satisfaction and aesthetic outcomes following Limberg flap reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 13 elderly patients undergoing Limberg flap reconstruction for midfacial defects.
• Analysis of defect characteristics, surgical procedures, outcomes, complications, and patient satisfaction via visual analog scale.
• All procedures performed under local infiltration anesthesia with same-day discharge.

Main Results:

• The Limberg flap demonstrated successful reconstruction with high patient satisfaction and uneventful wound healing.
• No early or late tumor recurrence was detected in the evaluated cases.
• The average patient age was 68 years, with a mean follow-up of 11.53 months.

Conclusions:

• The Limberg flap is a safe, rapid, and effective option for reconstructing small- to medium-sized central midface defects in elderly patients.
• This technique is well-tolerated under local anesthesia, facilitating same-day discharge and excellent aesthetic results.