title: Resurfacing of colour-mismatched free flaps on the face with split-thickness skin grafts from the scalp.
abstract: Free-tissue transfer is commonly used in micro-vascular head and neck reconstruction. In a significant proportion of cases, the reconstruction involves the placement of a conspicuous, colour-mismatched skin paddle on the face. This article presents our experience in resurfacing of free flaps on the face in seven patients, using split-thickness skin grafts harvested from the scalp. All patients had a noticeable improvement in colour match. This relatively minor procedure can significantly improve aesthetic outcome and merits consideration in appropriate patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Toronto, 200 Elizabeth Street, 8N865, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Lannon
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Novak
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Neligan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004954:Esthetics; D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006085:Graft Survival; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012535:Scalp / Q000601:surgery*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology