Extended Scalp Flaps for Extensive Soft Tissue Scalp Defects as a Day Surgery Procedure Under Local Anesthetic: A...

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Surgical Oncology
• Plastic Surgery

Background:

• Rising incidence of cutaneous malignancies, particularly scalp cancers.
• Challenges in managing large scalp defects due to tissue inelasticity.
• Need for effective reconstructive techniques after wide local excision (WLE).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of extended scalp flaps for large scalp defects.
• To assess the safety and cosmetic outcomes of this reconstructive method.
• To determine if the procedure can be performed under local anesthesia.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 68 cases with large scalp defects.
• Treatment involved extended scalp flaps for primary closure.
• Procedures performed under local anesthesia in a day case setting.

Main Results:

• Successful closure of large scalp defects in all 68 cases.
• No skin grafts were required for flap donor sites.
• Reported quicker wound healing and cosmetically superior results.

Conclusions:

• Extended scalp flaps are a safe and reproducible technique for extensive scalp defects.
• The method yields excellent cosmetic outcomes and promotes faster healing.
• The procedure is well-tolerated under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting.