[Transposition of expanded superficial cervical artery skin flaps for the repair of cicatricial contracture of neck].
OBJECTIVE
In order to reduce the complication of the transposition of superficial cervical artery skin flap for the repair of neck defect, the method of pre-expanded skin flap was designed, and its clinical result was observed.


METHODS
From March 1995 to October 1997, 12 cases with cicatricial contracture of the neck were treated by the following methods, preexpanded superficial cervical artery skin flap, and then transposed it for the reconstruction the cervical scar after burns. There were 8 males and 4 females and the age ranged from 6 to 32 years. A maximal size of flap was 35 cm x 14 cm and a minimal size was 16 cm x 7 cm.


RESULTS
All the flaps were survived except one, which partial necrosis occurred in the tip. Postoperative follow-up for 6 months to 3 years showed that the physiological angle of cervico-mandibular angle was recovered and the appearance of flap was satisfactory without swelling and contracture.


CONCLUSIONS
The preexpanded superficial cervical artery skin flap has many advantages, and it is particularly suitable for reconstruction of severe cervical contracture after extensive burns.
Li
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Q
Department of Plastic Surgery, Shenyang General Hospital of PLA, Shenyang, Liaoning, P. R. China 110015.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D003286:Contracture / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D015626:Tissue Expansion