title: [Interchange of facial scar flap with upper arm subdermal vascular network skin flap to improve facial appearance].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the result of subdermal vascular network skin flap raised from the upper arm to interchange with a facial skin flap carrying a scar resulted from previous burn.
  
  
  METHODS
  A transit flap was designed in the anterior medial aspect of the upper arm according to the reverse design method. The subdermal vascular network flap in the upper arm with length-width ratio less than 1.5:1 was raised with the pedicle located outside of the intermuscular septum of musculus biceps/triceps brachialis. The length-width ratio of the facial scar flap should be less than 1.2:1. The two flaps were cross-grafted to repair the facial wound left by raising the scar flap. The pedicles of the flaps were divided on 14 approximately 15 post-operative days (PODs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two flaps survived with satisfactory appearance in 9 patients with this method.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interchange of facial scar flap with subdermal vascular network skin flap from the upper arms could be a new, reliable and effective method for the facial plastic surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Burns & Plastic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xiao-yuan
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Peng-fei
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Xing-hua
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ke-qin
authors.initials: KQ
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Shao-rong
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lei
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000601:surgery*; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*