title: Aesthetic management of external skin paddles following microvascular reconstruction of the head and neck.
abstract: Microvascular free tissue transfer has become a popular reconstructive option for a wide range of complex head and neck defects. Although highly effective in achieving wound closure, this technique frequently introduces skin paddles with inherent differences in thickness, color, and texture. In resurfacing of cutaneous facial defects, such disparity often leads to inferior aesthetic results. For patients, poor appearance following head and neck reconstruction can become a significant source of distress and add additional burden to their recovery. This article describes several options available in the postoperative setting to improve the appearance of transferred skin paddles. Regional tissue rearrangement with the submental and posterior scalping flaps is discussed in detail.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York, New York 10003, USA.
authors.forename: Grigoriy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mashkevich
authors.forename: Anand D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Mark L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Urken
mesh_terms: D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004954:Esthetics; D006197:Hair / Q000637:transplantation; D006257:Head / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000473:pathology; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods* / Q000473:pathology; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply / Q000469:parasitology*; D015626:Tissue Expansion / Q000379:methods