[The use of superficial cervical artery island skin flaps in the repair of the maxillofacial and cervical scar].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the method of harvesting of superficial cervical artery island skin flap, and its clinical application in the repair of the maxillofacial and cervical scars.


METHODS
The origin, course, branches and distribution of the superficial cervical artery were studied in 10 adult cadavers. The superficial cervical artery could be divided into three segments: i.e. the segment before entering the trapezius muscle, the segment in the trapezius muscle, and the segment emerging from the trapezius muscle. Fourteen patients with maxillofacial and cervical scar contracture were enrolled in the study. The postburn scars were removed, and the wounds were covered by superficial cervical artery island skin flaps. The survival of the flap after the operation and the recovery of the neck movements were observed.


RESULTS
The length of superficial cervical artery before entering the trapezius muscle was 5.1 +/- 0.4 cm, while that inside the trapezius muscle was 2.1 +/- 0.5 cm, and that after emerging from the trapezius muscle was 4.7 +/- 0.7 cm, respectively. The internal perforating branch was located 7.3 +/- 0.6 cm beside the seventh cervical vertebrae, and 3.9 +/- 0.7 cm above the spine of scapula. The flap was from 16 cm x 7 cm to 35 cm x 12 cm in size. All the flaps survived, except one with partial necrosis in the distal part (3.0 cm x 1.5 cm) of the flap. Follow-up observation for 4 months to 3 years showed satisfactory results.


CONCLUSIONS
Superficial cervical artery island skin flap is simple in the flap preparation, and there is no necessity to cut the pedicle, thus it is particularly suitable for the reconstruction of severe postburn maxillofacial and cervical contracture.
Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical College. Zunyi 563003, P.R. China.
Da-li
DL
Wang
Yu-ming
YM
Wang
Shi-jiu
SJ
Chen
Wen-jie
WJ
Han
Zai-rong
ZR
Wei
Bo
B
Wang
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002648:Child; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012535:Scalp / Q000601:surgery; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply