Unilobed rotational flap for traumatic scalp soft tissue loss

Area of Science:

• Trauma surgery
• Plastic and reconstructive surgery
• Emergency medicine

Background:

• Soft tissue injuries of the head and neck are common in trauma emergency departments, representing over 50% of all injuries.
• Scalp soft tissue loss presents significant reconstruction challenges due to the limited mobility of the scalp's skin.
• Effective reconstruction methods are crucial for restoring function and aesthetics after traumatic scalp injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the successful application of rotational flap closure for traumatic scalp soft tissue loss.
• To evaluate the cosmetic outcomes of rotational flap reconstruction in two distinct patient cases.
• To highlight the efficacy of this technique in managing challenging scalp defects.

Main Methods:

• Case report detailing two patients with traumatic scalp soft tissue loss.
• Surgical intervention involved rotational flap closure using a unilobed technique.
• Postoperative assessment focused on wound healing and cosmetic results.

Main Results:

• Both patients, presenting with exposed frontal bone due to traumatic soft tissue loss, underwent successful unilobed rotational flap closure.
• Patient 1 was discharged on postoperative day 10 with favorable cosmetic results.
• Patient 2 also achieved satisfactory cosmetic outcomes following the rotational flap procedure.

Conclusions:

• Rotational flap closure is a viable and effective method for reconstructing traumatic scalp soft tissue loss.
• The unilobed rotational flap technique provides favorable cosmetic results, addressing the challenges of limited scalp mobility.
• This approach offers a successful solution for managing significant scalp defects in trauma patients.