Versatilidad del colgajo frontal en la reconstrucción facial / Versatility of the Frontal Flap for Facial Reconstruction

RESUMEN Introducción: La cara es la región anatómica clave de la expresión y de la comunicación entre los seres humanos, por lo que conservar la integridad y armonía de todos los elementos que la componen es de vital importancia. Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad del colgajo frontal para la reconstrucción de defectos faciales en pacientes intervenidos por lesiones oncológicas. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, prospectivo de corte longitudinal. El universo estuvo conformado por los pacientes con lesiones oncológicas que tenían criterio de reconstrucción, en la consulta de tumores periféricos del Instituto Nacional de Oncología y Radiobiología. La muestra fueron 106 pacientes, que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Resultados: El rango etario contó entre 50 a 69 años, para un 48,1 por ciento, el tipo histológico fue el carcinoma basocelular. El colgajo nasogeniano fue el proceder complementario más utilizado, las complicaciones no fueron significativas, lo que favoreció el buen estado de satisfacción como resultado final en el 74 por ciento de los casos. Conclusiones: Se demostró la versatilidad del colgajo frontal al cubrir totalmente todos los defectos de las diferentes zonas faciales afectadas por el tumor. Con excelentes resultados estéticos. Se mejora el impacto psicológico al no dejar grandes defectos(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: The face is an anatomical region of key importance to human expression and communication. Therefore, preserving the integrity and harmony of all its elements is of vital importance. Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of the frontal flap for the reconstruction of facial defects in patients operated on for oncological lesions. Methods: A descriptive, prospective and longitudinal study was carried out. The population was made up of patients with oncological lesions and eligible for reconstruction. They belonged to the peripheral tumor consultation of the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology. The sample was made op of 106 patients, who met the inclusion criteria. Results: The age range was 50-69 years, accounting for 48.1 percent. The histological type was basal cell carcinoma. The nasogenian flap was the most widely used complementary procedure. The complications were not significant, which favored the good state of satisfaction with the outcome in 74 percent of the cases. Conclusions: The versatility of the frontal flap was demonstrated, as long as it completely covers all the defects on the different facial areas affected by the tumor. Excellent aesthetic outcomes were obtained. The psychological impact is improved, since large defects are not remaining(AU)

Utilidad de colgajos locales para reconstrucción de mejillas en lesiones oncológicas de piel / Usefulness of local flaps for cheek reconstruction in skin cancer lesions

Introducción: el cáncer de piel afecta con frecuencia la región facial por su alta exposición a la radiación ultravioleta. La mejilla es un sitio frecuente y como consecuencia de la exéresis, quedan amplios defectos que requieren de técnicas reconstructivas. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la utilidad del uso de colgajos locales para la reconstrucción de mejilla en pacientes intervenidos de lesiones tumorales de piel. Métodos: se realizó un estudio prospectivo en 27 pacientes atendidas en el Instituto Nacional de Oncología y Radiobiología desde julio de 2013 hasta julio de 2015. Resultados: el grupo etario predominante estuvo integrado por mujeres entre 67-77, el tipo histológico que predominó fue el carcinoma basocelular. Predominó la mejilla izquierda. El colgajo que más se realizó fue el de rotación (Mustardé) y la complicación más frecuente fue el ectropión. Conclusiones: todos los casos fueron reconstruidos de forma inmediata, independientemente del tamaño del defecto(AU)

Introduction: Skin cancer frequently affects the facial area, due to high exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The most frequent affected area is the cheek. The wide excisions resulting from excision require reconstructive techniques to repair them. Objective: to evaluate the usefulness of local flaps for the cheek reconstruction in skin cancer lesions. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 27 patients seen at the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology from July 2013 through July 2015. Results: The predominant age group comprised women aged 67-77 years, being the basal cell carcinoma the predominant one. The left cheek was the most affected. The most used flap was the rotation flap(Mustarde) and the most common complication was ectropion. Conclusions: All the cheek defects were immediately reconstructed regardless of their size(AU)

Anterolateral thigh free flap for the reconstruction of through and through defect of cheek following cancer ablation.

The anterolateral thigh flap is a highly versatile and reliable flap for use in the reconstruction of various soft-tissue defects of the head and neck. This flap has gained great popularity due to its versatility, ability for a two-team approach, and minimal donor site morbidity. However, it has not met the same enthusiasm in the armamentarium of Maxillofacial Surgeons due to its relative difficulty in perforator dissection, reported variations of the vascular anatomy, and the presumed increased thickness of the anterolateral thigh tissue. These obstacles may be overcome by increased surgical experience and by the ability to create a thinner suprafacial flap or thinning the flap after it has been obtained. We have described the versatility of this flap for the reconstruction of the through and through defect of cheek following cancer ablation along with difficulties in raising flap.

Reconstruction of the Cheek using Various Methods

The reconstruction of the cheek area is a complex problem because the cheek is the most broad area of the face and is close to the aesthetically important region such as eyelids, nose, and mouth. The ultimate purpose of the cheek reconstruction is the restoration of the original shape and function, and establishment of the harmony with the adjacent structure in terms of color, nature and thickness. Various procedures such as skin graft, local flap, free flap, and local flap using skin expansion have been performed for cheek reconstruction. However, no golden principal or indication has been clarified to be imperative. Analyzing our clinical experiences of the cheek reconstruction, we intend to present a general guide of the cheek reconstruction and to assess the advantages and/or disadvantages of the operative methods. Between march of 1989 and August of 1999, we have experienced 154 cases of the cheek reconstruction. There were 52 males and 73 females, and their ages ranged from 3 to 89 years (mean 28.1 years). Preoperative diagnosis were post-burn deformity(n=74), Romberg disease (n=9), post-traumatic deformity(n=7), hemangioma(n=7), nevus(n=7), neurofibroma(n=5), hemifacial microsomia (n=3), lymphangioma(n=3), cancer(n=6), post-hemimandibulectomy(n=1), radical maxillectomy(n=1). The procedures were one stage cervicofacial flap(49 cases), cervicofacial flap following skin expansion(42 cases), local cheek flap (14 cases), deltocervicopectoral flap(2 cases), skin graft(29 cases), free flap(18 cases). Follow up period ranged from 3 to 72 months(mean 11.8 months). Advantages and disadvantages of each procedures were explained. The satisfaction rate was higher in one stage cervicofacial flap and free flap when assessed by both patients and surgeon. There were 3 cases of the ectropion of lower eylids, 4 cases of partial flap necrosis, and 1 case of exposure of tissue expander. The local flap is always the preferred method for the cheek reconstruction and the free flap is the treatment of choice for the cheek contour reconstruction. Selection of the most suitable flap is mandatory depending on the location and size of the defects.

Cheek reconstruction using the Expanded cervicofacial flap

Together, the cheek and neck can be considered as a single anatomic location because skin vascularity, texture and thickness are similar. The cervicofacial flap has been described as the treatment of choice for the cheek defect because of its good mobility and excellent cosmetic result. However, if the defects on the cheek are wider than the length of palpebral fissure of extended to the lower two thirds of the cheek, the conventional cervicofacial flaps would be inadequate in size without the benefit of expansion. Tissue expansion of the cheek and neck is distinguished by a particuarly high rate of complication. Prevention of various complications require careful planning and certain modifications in technique. We have used the following modifications and measures to prevent the complications and to maximize the expansion. 1) Whenever possible, expanders were placed over the rigid foundation such as mandible or posterior neck area after wide undermining. 2) Expanders were placed deep to platysma in the neck area. 3) Following optimal expansion, the further dissection extending to the clavicle and the posterior neck area was performed for optimal mobilization and draping of the expanded skin. 4) The expanded skin was advanced upward on the cervical portion and rotated forward on the cheek portion. 5) The flap should not be draped above the inferior orbital rim and postoperatively the pressure garments were applied to prevent drooping of the expanded skin. We experienced 21 cases of the expanded cervicofacial flaps with above surgical modifications and the expanded cervicofacial flaps can resurface the 95% of cheek defects with minimal complications and excellent cosmetic results.