The use of pedicled expanded flaps for aesthetic resurfacing of the burned face.
Reconstruction of extensive, deep burns of the face is a challenging problem in plastic surgery. The authors report the use of tissue expanders placed in the upper chest for facial resurfacing after burn injuries in 4 patients. The expanders are hyperinflated. The flap is then advanced upward to resurface an aesthetic unit of the face with the pedicle intact. The pedicle is divided 2 weeks later. The method of reconstruction allows a large area of facial resurfacing to be performed without fear of flap loss or flap retraction impairing the cosmetic result. This technique has the disadvantage of being a staged procedure and cannot be performed in those with burns of the upper chest.
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Universitas Hospital, Bloemfontein and Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.
K
K
Hoekstra
D A
DA
Hudson
A W
AW
Smith
D002056:Burns / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013524:Surgical Flaps