Repairing Small Facial Soft Tissue Defects by Tissue Regeneration in Asians

A variety of options are available to repair the small facial soft tissue defects after surgical removal of cutaneous tumor, including direct suture, skin grafts, local, regional or free flaps. However, tissue regeneration is another option for repairing facial defects. This study proposes the clinical application of the principle of tissue regeneration priority in small defects (diameter <1.3 cm) of facial soft tissue.

A retrospective study of 33 patients whose facial defects were repaired by tissue regeneration healing in situ from January 2019 to January 2022. In this group, the facial soft tissue defects were treated with wound moist theory in order to promote wound regeneration.

All patients underwent 1 month follow-up at least and the longest follow-up time was 6 months. Hundred percent of the patients were satisfied with their cosmetic outcome. Only some patients formed small depression scars after surgery, the appearance of which were similar to acne scar. In this situation, re-resection and laser treatment could be used as complementary procedures. However, no patient underwent the secondary treatments including laser and re-resection.

Healing by tissue regeneration is an effective option for the facial defects in Asians. For most of the small soft tissue defects of the face, tissue regeneration in situ can achieve satisfactory effects. More importantly, it has the advantages of simple operation and fewer complications.