title: Surgical tattooing as an aesthetic improvement in facial reconstruction with a free radial forearm flap.
abstract: Free flaps are usually needed for the reconstruction of extensive facial burns, but the final result is often a poor texture and color match. The authors report a burn case managed with a radial forearm free flap. The aesthetic result was improved by surgical tattooing of the flap, including the appearance of a beard.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Hôpital Brugmann, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Coessens
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Geertruyden
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Mey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000601:surgery*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000601:surgery*; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009055:Mouth / Q000601:surgery; D009666:Nose / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*; D013653:Tattooing