Forehead Flap in Coverage of Nasal Defects: Our Experience

Background: Coverage of post-traumatic or post-oncosurgical nasal defects is a very challenging procedure. Small nasal defects may be covered by skin grafts or small local flaps while larger nasal defects require more complex flap coverage techniques as using tissue expanders, prefabricated flaps or free flaps. The forehead flap has been used for centuries and remains a workhorse flap for reconstruction of large and complex nasal defects. Aim: evaluate the feasibility and versatility of forehead flap for resurfacing nasal defects. Materials and Methods: 12 patients underwent coverage of nasal defects after trauma or tumor excision using forehead flaps. All flaps needed a second stage for flap separation 3 weeks after the time of operation. The size of the harvested flap, the harvesting time, results of transferred flaps, patient satisfaction and flap-related complications were analyzed. Results: 12 patients (10 males and 2 females) underwent reconstruction of different nasal defects using 12 forehead flaps. The overall complications occurred in 2 patients. The remaining 10 patients showed no complications and passed an uneventful follow-up period. 7 Patients were very satisfied, 4 were satisfied and only one patient was not satisfied as she was 23 years old young female and was subjected to human bite. Follow-up periods ranged from 6 to 12 months. Conclusion: Nasal defects can successfully be managed with the forehead flap. Probably, the flap provides the best result due to the good matching of the skin in terms of color, texture, and thickness. Also, despite the increasing use of free flaps, the forehead flap is still a valid and safe option for nasal defects coverage that allows good aesthetics and functional outcomes.

Double Forehead Expanded Flaps for Reconstruction of Total Nasal Defect: A Case Report

Objective To introduce a method for total nasal defect reconstruction with a double forehead expanded flap.Case presentation A 55-year-old man underwent three-stage total nasal reconstruction for a complete nasal defect due to electrical injury.The skin expander was implanted during the 1st stage.Total nasal reconstruction was performed with double expanded forehead flap transfer during the 2nd stage.The unilateral forehead flap was used for lining and the contralateral forehead flap,together with the autologous cartilage and titanium mesh framework,were used for skin replacement.The forehead donor defect was covered with a skin graft.Pedicle division and inset were performed in the 3rd stage.Results There was no flap loss,infection,hematoma,rhinostenosis,or implant exposure over the 2-year follow-up,and satisfactory aesthetic results were achieved.Conclusion The double forehead expanded flap method is useful for the reconstruction of large composite nasal defects in patients who are not suitable for nasolabial flaps and those who may not tolerate free tissue transfer.The operation has fewer complications and is uncomplicated.

The forehead flap:a valuable option in resource depleted environment

Aim:Reconstruction of orofacial soft tissue defect is often challenging and this is more difficult in resource challenged environment.This retrospective study highlights our experience with the use of forehead flap to overcome some of the challenges of orofacial reconstruction in a resource depleted environment.Methods:A 23-year retrospective analysis of all patients who had orofacial defect reconstruction using forehead flap in our department was undertaken.Information was sourced from patient’s case notes and operating theatre records.Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences(SPSS)version 16(SPSS Inc.,Chicago,IL,USA)and Microsoft Excel 2007(Microsoft,Redmond,WA,USA).Results:A total of 43 patients were managed within the period reviewed and consisted of 31(72.1%)males and 12(27.9%)females.Trauma 24(55.8%)accounted for most defect and the lip was the commonest site of defect.Complete forehead flap was used in 31(72.1%)of cases and when timing of defect repair is considered,delayed reconstruction was the preferred method.Postoperative complications was observed in 8(18.6%)patients and consisted of failed flap in 2(25.0%)patients,tumor recurrence in reconstructed site in 2(25.0%)patients and tumor occurrence in forehead flap donor site in 1(12.5%)patient.Conclusion:The forehead flap remains a reliable option in orofacial soft tissue defect reconstruction.It is easy to raise and can provide coverage for wide defects as far as the paramandibular and submandibular regions.Moreover,it does not require patient repositioning.

Preliminary stages before nasal reconstruction using forehead flap:restoring perinasal subunits and nostril patency

Due to the complex three-dimensional structure of the nose,the repair of the nasal defect requires reconstruction of three different layers:skin envelope,osteocartilaginous framework and nasal lining.Before nasal reconstruction can be accomplished,the nose must rest on a stable platform to avoid late nasal obstructions,and septal deviations resulting from scar contraction.We present three cases of nasal reconstruction using a forehead flap in which we performed a preliminary stage to increase reliability of outcomes.

Expanded Forehead Stepped Flaps for Delayed Three-Stage Repair of Midface Skin Lesions

Background The forehead flap is the best flap for nasal defect repair and nasal reconstruction.It is also an ideal option for repairing skin lesions in the midface(including the nasal area,inner area of the cheek,and upper lip of the perioral area).However,the traditional frontal myocutaneous flap is relatively bulky for repairing pure skin lesions.In addition,the original forehead flap is generally not sufficient to cover a large wound area.If a large forehead flap is removed,the donor site cannot be sutured in one stage.In this study,an expanded forehead stepped flap was used to overcome the shortcomings of the traditional frontal myocutaneous flap.Methods In stage one surgery,a rectangular expander(80–100 mL)was implanted on the side of the forehead.The expansion pot was built-in,and the excess expansion amount was 160–200 mL.After 4 weeks of rest,stage two operation was performed to remove the skin lesions in the midface.The pulsation point of the supratrochlear artery on one side was used as the pedicle,and the flap was designed diagonally to the upper region of the opposite side.The flap was designed according to the size and shape of the wound.The distal portion of the flap was separated in the superficial layer of the frontalis muscle,approximately 1.7 cm above the superior orbital edge,and cut into the submuscle.The flap pedicle was cut from the superficial layer of the periosteum to form a stepped flap.Then,the flap was rotated downward to repair the wound in the midface.Five weeks later,stage three of the operation which involved flap pedicle division,was performed.Results Expanded forehead stepped flaps were used in 12 cases with 6–36 months of follow-up.In all cases,the blood supply to the flaps was good,and their color,texture,and thickness matched well with those of the surrounding skin.All patients were satisfied with the outcome of the repair.Conclusion Expanded forehead stepped flaps present an ideal option for repairing wounds after large skin lesion resections in the midface since they have multiple edges from a reliable blood supply,easiness to transfer,and well-matched color,texture,and thickness to those of the surrounding skin of the face to no need for many auxiliary incisions.

《外鼻缺损修复重建方法的研究进展》点评

外鼻缺损修复重建是整形外科富有挑战性的临床难题之一。由于外鼻缺损的位置、范围和层次不同,虽然需要修复或再造的方法也多种多样,但是在修复重建必须要遵循亚单位和分层重建等原则,这样方能获得良好的临床效果。外鼻既是一个美学器官,也是一个功能性器官,故在手术修复过程中时刻要兼顾外形和鼻通气功能,这就要求我们在修复过程中结合外鼻缺损实际情况,制订个性化的治疗方案。本文从临床实践出发对《外鼻缺损修复重建方法的临床进展》进行点评。

改良额肌瓣悬吊术治疗儿童先天性重度上睑下垂24例

目的:探讨改良额肌瓣悬吊术治疗先天性重度上睑下垂的临床效果。方法:采用额肌瓣悬吊术治疗24例35眼,术后1wk评价近期效果,随访观察12～41(平均18.5)mo,评价远期效果。结果:术后1wk矫正良好15例22眼,基本矫正8例12眼,矫正不足1例1眼,成功率(矫正良好+基本矫正)97%。随访中发现,2例(2眼)矫正良好者回退为基本矫正,1例1眼回退为矫正不足,2例3眼从基本矫正回退到矫正不足,远期成功率为88%。结论:改良额肌瓣悬吊术操作安全、无并发症,是治疗先天性重度上睑下垂的首选方法。

应用扩张额部斜行皮瓣修复鼻部缺损

目的:探讨扩张一侧滑车上动脉的额部斜行皮瓣修复鼻部缺损的效果。方法:对13例伴有鼻尖鼻翼大部分缺损的病例,在额部一侧滑车动脉走行区域下斜向植入80～120ml不同容积扩张器,经过2～3.5个月的扩张,获得多余的皮肤软组织。设计滑车上动脉额部斜行薄皮瓣转移修复鼻部缺损,对鼻支架破坏的病例同期植入肋软骨支架或鼻假体,1个月后断蒂并对鼻外形进行修整。结果:全部病例扩张顺利,转移的皮瓣成活。获得足够的鼻长度、鼻尖突度,修复效果满意,额部供区无明显瘢痕遗留。结论:该方法能获得比较理想的修复效果,应作为修复伴有鼻尖鼻翼大部分缺损修复的首选方法。

扩张后额部皮瓣行全鼻再造

目的:探讨使用大容量扩张后额部皮瓣全鼻再造的效果。方法:应用180～240ml的大容量圆形或长柱形扩张器扩张前额皮肤,扩张容量达到180～260ml后作二期手术,三叶瓣的远端均修薄并向内翻转与衬里缝合,将形成鼻翼的二侧叶部分皮下组织向中心点翻转抬高鼻尖部,供瓣区直接拉拢缝合。结果:所有大容量扩张后额部皮瓣全部成活,术后1～3年随访,鼻外形维持较好,额部线状瘢痕不明显。结论:使用大容量扩张后额部皮瓣全鼻再造,扩张的组织量富裕、远期效果好。

额部扩张皮瓣在鼻缺损整复中的应用

目的：探讨应用额部扩张皮瓣修复鼻部分缺损的效果。方法：1985年-2008年，收治15例鼻缺损患者。手术分3期进行：Ⅰ期行额部扩张器置入术皮肤扩张术；Ⅱ期行额部扩张皮瓣转移修复鼻缺损；Ⅲ期行鼻根部皮瓣断蒂修整术。结果：本组15例，3例出现皮瓣远端血运障碍，其中2例转移的额部扩张皮瓣远端坏死。13例患者扩张的额部皮瓣全部成活。随访6个月～23年，再造鼻形态满意，额部供区瘢痕不明显。结论：额部扩张皮瓣修复鼻缺损是简单、可靠的方法。

扩张器在头额部的临床应用

目的 探讨头额部皮肤缺损修复术优于传统手术疗效的方法。方法 应用扩张器分Ⅱ或Ⅲ期 ,以旋转、推进、轴型或岛状皮瓣方式转移扩张皮瓣 ,修复 72例头额部的先天性或获得性皮肤缺损患者。结果 72例患者中 ,除 1例皮瓣坏死约 3.0cm× 2 .5cm外 ,扩张皮瓣均全部成活 ,修复后形态自然 ,效果满意。结论 在充分做好术前设计、提高手术技巧和严防并发症发生的情况下 。

扩张额部颞浅血管蒂皮瓣修复鼻部分缺损

目的在传统额部皮瓣的基础上,探索以减少传统的方法继发额部瘢痕的鼻部分缺损的修复方法。方法手术分两期进行。Ⅰ期将100～150ml的软组织扩张器置入鼻缺损同侧额部皮下的颞浅血管额支的深面。Ⅱ期将扩张后的皮肤,根据鼻缺损的形状和大小,切取以颞浅血管额支为蒂的额部皮瓣修复鼻缺损。供区创面直接缝合在额颞部的发际缘。结果自2003年7月至2006年11月,采用此皮瓣修复鼻一侧的全层缺损的患者7例,手术全部成功。术后随访患者3～6个月,鼻形态较好,供区无明显的继发瘢痕。结论扩张额部颞浅血管蒂额部皮瓣是修复鼻部分缺损的一种较理想的皮瓣,此手术方法可有效地改善传统的方法继发的额部瘢痕。

应用额部扩张皮瓣修复鼻缺损

目的：探讨应用额部扩张皮瓣修复鼻缺损的效果.方法：经过三期手术,完成对2 3例多种原因造成的鼻缺损的修复.Ⅰ期：额部扩张器置入术;Ⅱ期：鼻再造术;Ⅲ期：断蒂术.结果：本组2 3例患者,转移额部扩张皮瓣均成活,随访0.5～1年,再造鼻形态良好、逼真,色泽、质地均较匹配,鼻通气良好,额部供区瘢痕不明显.结论：利用额部扩张皮瓣修复鼻缺损是较为理想的治疗方案。

额部扩张皮瓣半鼻再造术

目的 :介绍应用额部扩张皮瓣进行半鼻再造的体会。 方法 :总结 9例采用扩张后的额部皮瓣转移后作为再造鼻的皮肤覆盖 ,局部翻转皮瓣作为鼻腔衬里 ,移植肋软骨或耳甲软骨重建鼻支持组织的手术方法。 结果 :9例中 8例获得满意效果 ,再造半鼻与健侧基本对称。 1例额部扩张皮瓣远端淤血坏死。 结论 :应用额部扩张皮瓣进行半鼻再造是可行的。

额部扩张皮瓣联合耳软骨支架鼻再造术

目的:探讨应用额部扩张皮瓣复合耳软骨支架植入鼻再造术的效果。方法:对7例鼻缺损患者Ⅰ期行额部斜行扩张器埋置术,Ⅱ期行扩张皮瓣修复鼻尖、鼻翼及鼻小柱的同时,于残鼻内植入耳软骨支架,形成支撑结构。结果:7例术后均无感染,无软骨外露,再造鼻外观坚挺,色泽与邻近组织相似,形态逼真,效果满意。结论:额部扩张皮瓣复合耳软骨支架植入鼻再造术增加了鼻尖及鼻小柱的支撑、塑形,是较理想的鼻再造方法。

额部扩张皮瓣法半鼻再造术修复部分鼻缺损

目的:探讨应用扩张额部皮瓣行半鼻再造术修复部分鼻缺损的效果。方法:2008年6月～2010年12月,收治部分鼻缺损患者5例,男1例,女4例,均采用额部扩张皮瓣法半鼻再造术修复。手术分3期进行:Ⅰ期行额部额肌下扩张器置入术皮肤扩张;Ⅱ期行额部扩张皮瓣转移半鼻再造术;Ⅲ期行鼻根部皮瓣断蒂修整术。结果:术后患者均愈合良好,无明显并发症发生。5例患者均获随访,随访时间6月～1年。再造鼻形态满意,颜色、质地与周围皮肤较为匹配,额部供区无明显瘢痕及畸形。结论:额部扩张皮瓣法行半鼻再造术修复鼻缺损,手术方法简单可靠,术后效果满意。

额部岛状瓣在老年口腔癌术后缺损修复重建中的应用

目的:探讨额部岛状瓣在老年口腔癌术后缺损修复重建中的应用价值。方法:对13例老年口腔癌患者施行根治性手术,同期用额部岛状瓣行术后缺损重建。其中,8例额瓣经颧弓下进入口腔,5例经颧弓外侧转移进入口腔,分别修复颊部、舌部、磨牙后区和口底黏膜区组织缺损,重建口腔功能。结果:13例皮瓣均全部成活,修复区形态及功能良好。前额部供区缺损游离移植皮片全部成活,但植皮区皮肤移动度稍差,术后1年皮片色泽接近正常,额部畸形不明显。随访6个月～2a,未见复发和转移。结论:额部岛状瓣适合于老年口腔癌术后组织缺损的修复重建,尤其是面积较大的组织缺损。

吻合远端颞浅血管蒂的额部扩张皮瓣修复半侧颜面瘢痕挛缩畸形

目的:研究在皮瓣远端进行血管吻合对皮瓣静脉回流障碍的作用。方法:首先采集相关临床资料数据。手术采用一期置入额部扩张器,二期取出扩张器并将额部皮瓣以单侧颞浅血管蒂转移至面部受区,吻合组额部皮瓣的远端颞浅血管蒂吻合于受区血管,未吻合组则不进行血管吻合。结果:吻合组皮瓣未出现静脉回流障碍,未吻合组均出现明显的远端静脉回流障碍及坏死。结论:吻合远端血管束的额部皮瓣可以明显改善皮瓣远端静脉回流障碍。

滑车上动脉蒂额部三叶瓣修复鼻尖鼻翼及鼻小柱缺损的疗效分析

目的：探讨应用滑车上动脉蒂额部三叶瓣同时修复鼻尖鼻翼及鼻小柱缺损的临床疗效及治疗经验。方法：选取2008年9月-2013年2月本院收治的5例同时存在鼻尖鼻翼及鼻小柱缺损的患者，均采用滑车上动脉蒂额部三叶瓣修复。手术分2期进行：Ⅰ期行皮肤扩张器置入额部帽状腱膜及额肌下扩张充足的皮肤软组织；Ⅱ期设计滑车上动脉额部三叶瓣转移修复鼻尖鼻翼及鼻小柱缺损。结果：本组5例滑车上动脉蒂额部三叶瓣全部存活，随访4-12个月，平均随访8个月，鼻外形、功能良好，皮瓣色泽、质地与周围皮肤基本一致。结论：滑车上动脉蒂额部三叶瓣能同时修复鼻尖鼻翼及鼻小柱缺损，修复后鼻外形、功能良好，疗效可靠，是治疗同时存在鼻尖鼻翼及鼻小柱缺损较理想的方法。

额部带蒂皮瓣全鼻再造术

目的探讨应用在额部扩张后带蒂皮瓣行全鼻再造术的效果。方法在前额部的软组织下埋入软组织扩张器，经过8周后将软组织用扩张器注水完成扩张，并持续4-6周。在前额上以一侧知名动脉为血管蒂设计三叶状的带蒂皮瓣，向下反转重建外鼻。结果7块额部扩张皮瓣转移后完全存活，1例岛状皮瓣转移的患者鼻翼边缘有少许坏死，余5例患者再造鼻的外形与鼻的通气功能均良好，随访9个月至4年8个月，皮瓣无回缩，额部供区无明显瘢痕。结论额部扩张后带蒂皮瓣为全鼻再造的理想治疗方案，带蒂转移的术式更安全可靠，是一种理想的手术方法。