[Secondary wound healing with reference to anatomic subunits in operations of the mid-facial area]

The healing of wounds by secondary intention is a simple method to close operative defects. The quality of wound healing will depend on the anatomic site on the face as well as on size and depth of the defect. Best functional and cosmetic results are obtained at locations with concave geometry and when the defect lies symmetrically at the interface of two anatomic subunits. Partial reconstruction or guiding sutures can create a symmetric defect in relation to anatomic subunits which will heal by second intention. This simple and efficient operative procedure is illustrated by two case reports.