Total Face Reconstruction with Flap Prefabrication and Soft-Tissue Expansion Techniques

Area of Science:

• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Facial Reconstruction
• Thoracic Flap Pre-fabrication

Background:

• Total facial deformities present significant psychological and functional challenges.
• Anterior chest skin offers favorable characteristics for facial reconstruction.
• Current reconstructive techniques for extensive facial defects require evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss and evaluate surgeon experiences with monoblock flaps from the anterior thoracic area for total face reconstruction.
• To assess the utility of flap prefabrication, soft-tissue expansion, and facial plastic surgery in this context.
• To evaluate the outcomes of using prefabricated expanded anterior thoracic flaps for entire face reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• Two patients with total facial deformities underwent reconstruction using prefabricated expanded anterior thoracic flaps.
• Data collected included face defect size, flap type, expander shape, expansion time, and complications.
• Surgical procedures involved flap prefabrication, soft-tissue expansion, and skin flap transplantation.

Main Results:

• All transplanted facial flaps survived without major complications.
• The technique provided a high degree of skin matching in thickness, texture, and color.
• A wide enough covering area and thin enough skin thickness were achieved for facial coverage.

Conclusions:

• Prefabricated expanded anterior thoracic flaps are a viable option for reconstructing extensive facial soft-tissue defects.
• This method offers excellent aesthetic and functional results with a high degree of patient satisfaction.
• Autologous flap grafting is straightforward to implement and holds significant clinical value in facial reconstruction.