Reconstruction of Cheek Defect with Facial Artery Perforator Flap

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To reconstruct the midface, local flaps such as nasolabial flaps have been frequently used. These local flaps, however, have the shortcomings of requiring a secondary operation or limitations in the movement of the flap. Thus, new methods have been developed. This paper reports a case wherein the basal cell carcinoma on the cheek was resected and the skin and soft tissue defect was successfully treated using a facial artery perforator flap. METHODS: A 68-year-old female consulted the authors on the basal cell carcinoma that developed on her cheek. The mass was fully resected and revealed a 2.3 x 2.3 cm defective region. Using a Doppler ultrasonography, the facial artery path was traced, and using a loupe magnification, the facial artery perforator flap was elevated and the defective region was covered with the flap. RESULTS: The flap developed early venous congestion, but it disappeared without any treatment. Six months after the surgery, the patient was satisfied with the postoperative result. CONCLUSION: The facial artery perforator flap has a thin pedicle. It offers a big arc of the rotation that allows free movement and one-stage operation. These strengths make the method useful for the reconstruction of the midface among other procedures.