Clinical Experiences with the Scapular Fascial Free Flap.
BACKGROUND
The goal of reconstruction is to provide coverage of exposed vital structures with well-vascularized tissue for optimal restoration of form and function. Here, we present our clinical experience with the use of the scapular fascial free flap to correct facial asymmetry and to reconstruct soft tissue defects of the extremities.


METHODS
We used a scapular fascial free flap in 12 cases for soft tissue coverage of the extremities or facial soft tissue augmentation.


RESULTS
The flaps ranged in size from 3×12 to 13×23 cm. No cases of total loss of the flap occurred. Partial loss of the flap occurred in 1 patient, who was treated with a turnover flap using the adjacent scapular fascial flap and a skin graft. Partial loss of the skin graft occurred in 4 patients due to infection or hematoma beneath the graft, and these patients underwent another skin graft. Four cases of seroma at the donor site occurred, and these cases were treated with conservative management or capsulectomy and quilting sutures.


CONCLUSIONS
The scapular fascial free flap has many advantages, including a durable surface for restoration of form and contours, a large size with a constant pedicle, adequate surface for tendon gliding, and minimal donor-site scarring. We conclude that despite the occurrence of a small number of complications, the scapular fascial free flap should be considered to be a viable option for soft tissue coverage of the extremities and facial soft tissue augmentation.
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Il Ho
IH
Park
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Chul Hoon
CH
Chung
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Yong Joon
YJ
Chang
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jae Hyun
JH
Kim
Facial asymmetry; Free tissue flaps; Soft tissue injury
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