[Clinical use of the prefabricated expanded island skin flap].
OBJECTIVE
This is to introduce the applications of the prefabricated expanded island skin flap based on a fasciovascular pedicle.


METHODS
The superficial temporal vessel was transferred to the cervical region and an expander was buried under it. When the expander was fully expanded, an island skin flap was elevated and transferred based on the fasciovascular pedicle. Eight patients were treated with this method since 1996.


RESULTS
All the flaps survived without necrosis.


CONCLUSIONS
The island skin flap prefabricated in this manner has rich blood supply and can be transferred safely. It is useful in plastic and reconstructive surgery, especially for the severe burned patients whose normal skin is insufficient.
Liu
Y
Y
Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100041.
Zhao
M
M
Li
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D015626:Tissue Expansion