Principles and Clinical Application of Free-Style Capillary Perforator-Based Flap for Coverage of Facial Skin Cancer...

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Dermatologic Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Facial defects resulting from skin cancer require effective reconstruction methods.
• Traditional reconstructive techniques may present limitations in achieving optimal aesthetic and functional outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate the efficacy of a free-style perforator based island flap (PBIF) for reconstructing facial skin defects.
• To assess the outcomes and complication rates associated with the PBIF technique in a retrospective patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of 32 patients who underwent facial defect reconstruction using PBIF between March 2012 and December 2022.
• Data collected included patient demographics, defect characteristics, surgical technique principles (finger-pinching, wrinkle alignment, flap dimensions, muscle attachment), and postoperative outcomes.

Main Results:

• The study included 32 patients with an average age of 63.6 years, undergoing reconstruction for defects in various facial areas.
• Average flap size was 7.63 cm², with no reported cases of venous congestion or vascular insufficiency.
• One patient required revisional closure due to flap disruption; all other cases demonstrated stable outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The free-style perforator based island flap (PBIF) is a viable and effective method for reconstructing facial defects.
• This technique provides simple, aesthetically satisfying, and stable results with a low complication rate.
• The PBIF shows potential for broader application in future reconstructive surgery procedures.