Lateral arm microvascular free tissue reconstruction of a large neck keloid.
Keloid scars pose a surgical challenge in the region of the head and neck. We present a rare case of a large infected and recurrent neck keloid that failed multiple prior reconstructive attempts. Ultimately, the tissue was resected and the surgical bed was repaired with a lateral arm microvascular free flap. This repair emphasizes the need for adequate coverage of the defect while maintaining neck mobility, ease of swallowing, and cosmesis. This is the second report in the literature of free tissue transfer as treatment for a large keloid scar, and the first to show the feasibility of early post operative low dose irradiation of the surgical bed.
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Yunwei
Y
Chen
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Nipun
N
Chhabra
Ear, Nose, and Throat Institute, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA. Electronic address: yichun.liu@uhhospitals.org.
Yi-Chun Carol
YC
Liu
Ear, Nose, and Throat Institute, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Chad A
CA
Zender
D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D007627:Keloid / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*