A simplified surgical algorithm for flap reconstruction of eyebrow defects.
BACKGROUND
Partial or total eyebrow defects after trauma or tumor excisions have been repaired by several surgical technique and algorithms. However, these algorithms are often complicated and difficult to apply clinically. We therefore established a simplified surgical algorithm for the treatment of eyebrow defects using flap reconstruction.


METHODS
During the period between January 2009 and December 2015, a total of 21 Chinese patients (12 males, 9 females) with eyebrow defects were treated with eyebrow flap reconstruction. The ages ranged from 12 to 51 years. The patients included 13 cases located on the left and 8 cases on the right eyebrow. These defects were caused by trauma (5 patients) and tumor excision (16 patients). Among them, 6 patients were treated using superficial temporal artery island flap, while 15 patients were treated using the V-Y advancement pedicle flap based on the orbicularis oculi muscle. The minimum defect area was 0.8 × 1.0 cm and maximum area was 2.3 × 4.3 cm. All patients were followed up for 6 months to 5 years postoperatively. The clinical effects of eyebrow reconstruction were evaluated using a designated scoring system.


RESULTS
All 21 flaps survived without significant complications and the shapes of the reconstructed eyebrows were continuous, symmetrical and with good integrity. According to the rating scale, there were 13 excellent, 8 good reconstructions among all patients. After an average of 9 months of follow-up, all patients had no recurrence of tumors and no infection or scarring.


CONCLUSIONS
Based upon our experience with 21 patients who underwent eyebrow reconstruction for various eyebrow defects, we believe that our simplified surgical algorithm can serve as a model for the treatment of patients with eyebrow defects.
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The First Bethune Hospital of JiLin University, No.71, Xin Min Street, Chang Chun 130021, China. Electronic address: perfect98@yeah.net.
Hai-Peng
HP
Liu
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The First Bethune Hospital of JiLin University, No.71, Xin Min Street, Chang Chun 130021, China. Electronic address: leleshao@hotmail.com.
Ying
Y
Shao
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The First Bethune Hospital of JiLin University, No.71, Xin Min Street, Chang Chun 130021, China. Electronic address: 36143641@qq.com.
Xiao-Jie
XJ
Yu
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The First Bethune Hospital of JiLin University, No.71, Xin Min Street, Chang Chun 130021, China. Electronic address: zhangduo2002@hotmail.com.
Duo
D
Zhang
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D002648:Child; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D005138:Eyebrows; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
Eyebrow defects; Flap reconstruction; Superficial temporal artery island flap; Surgical algorithm; V-Y advancement pedicle flap