title: [Scalp flaps pedicled with superficial temporal vessel and hair removal for reconstruction of facial skin defects].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the therapeutic effect of scalp flaps pedicled with superficial temporal vessel and hair removal for reconstruction of facial skin defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  From Jan. 2010 to Dec. 2011, 6 cases with large facial skin defects were treated with scalp flaps pedicled with superficial temporal vessel and hair removal. At the first stage, the skin expanders were implanted subcutaneously at the homolateral side according to the defect size. After the expansion was finished, the expanded flaps pedicled with superficial temporal vessel were used to reconstruct the facial skin defects at the second stage. 2 weeks after operation, hair removal was performed to remove the hair on flaps. 4-6 treatments were needed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven flaps in 6 cases were survived completely. The wounds at donor sites were closed directly. The effect of hair removal was reliable. The patients were followed up for 6 months to 1 year. The flap color, texture and thickness had a good match with surrounding skin tissue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is a good option to reconstruct facial skin defects with scalp flaps pedicled with superficial temporal vessel and hair removal.
authors.affiliation: First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China.
authors.forename: Shi-hai
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hai-sheng
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Qing-feng
authors.initials: QF
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mai
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Ming-de
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Liao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery*; D006204:Hair Removal; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012535:Scalp / Q000637:transplantation*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*