Reconstruction of non-melanotic facial tumours with local flaps; replacing like with like

ABSTRACT

To assess the outcome of early skin tumour excision and reconstruction with regards to tumour margin clearance, recurrence and aesthetic results of reconstruction. Quasi experimental. This study was carried in the department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Combined Military Hospital [CMH] Rawalpindi, Pakistan from January 2010 to December 2012. All patients having tumours of the cheek, upper and lower lips, nose and forehead, who underwent primary surgical excision and reconstruction with local flaps, were included in the study. Patients with nodal or distant metastasis were excluded. Tumours were excised with safe margins and defects reconstructed with local facial flaps. Patients were regularly followed up as per protocol for basal cell carcinoma [BCC] and squamous cell carcinoma [SCC]. Eighty nine patients aged between 37-86 years with a mean age of 59.4 years [SD +/- 9.24] were included in the study. There were 58 [65%] cases of basal cell carcinoma [BCC] and 31 [35%] of squamous cell carcinoma [SCC]. Recurrence was seen in 3 [5.2%] cases of BCC and 2 [6.4%] cases of SCC. There was 1 [1.1%] complete and 4 [4.5%] partial flap losses. The follow-up period ranged from 4 months to 3 years with average of 16 months. Local flaps give a simple option for facial reconstruction for postoncological resection defects giving good aesthetic match due to local tissue