title: Vacuum-assisted closure therapy for reconstruction of soft-tissue forehead defects.
abstract: We sought to examine the efficacy of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy for the reconstruction of full-thickness forehead defects and to determine the appropriate therapeutic strategies for its use. Medical records and photographs were reviewed for 3 patients with full-thickness tissue loss of the forehead region treated with a VAC system. All 3 patients had complete formation of healthy granulation tissue with VAC therapy alone. One patient was treated to full reepithelization of her wound; the other 2 patients underwent successful surgical closure after VAC reduction of the defect. The treatment was well tolerated, with no complications. Although this represents an initial study, it seems that the protocol for VAC therapy presented herein is a reliable technique for the repair of forehead defects that provides excellent functional and aesthetic outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. jchsia@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Hsia
authors.forename: Kris S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Moe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005546:Forehead / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012535:Scalp / Q000293:injuries; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult