Microvasclar Free Tissue Transfer for Aesthetic Facial Contouring

ABSTRACT

The facial contour deformity can cause significant handicaps in social life and a psychological stress to the patient. From January 1991 to November 1998, ten patients were operated on for correction of facial contour deformities with three types of free flap deepithelialized scapular (n = 6), deepithelialized groin (n = 3) and omental free flap (n = 1). The distribution of diseases were Romberg's disease (n = 3), hemifacial microsomia (n = 2), facial lipodystrophy (n = 1), sequelae after surgery (n = 3) and post-traumatic deformity (n = 1). The patient ages ranged from 12 to 42 years. An incision was made at preauricular (n = 3) or submandibular area (n = 7). After making a subcutaneous pocket just above SMAS, the flap was placed within the pocket. The microvascular anastomosis was performed using superficial temporal vessel (n = 3) or facial vessel (n = 6) as a recipient. The flap margin was sutured to the fascia or periosteum and fixed by bolster sutures to reduce gravitational migration. There were no flap loss. Flap revisions consisting of minor contour corrections were performed in eight patients. A stable restoration of facial contour was achieved in all patients. Microvascular free tissue transfer has the advantages that it can be used on the irradiated bed and restore a large defect of facial contour. The deepithelialized groin free flap is suitable for correction of generalized defect of facial contour such as hemifacial microsomia because of its abundance of fatty tissue. In the deepithelialized scapular free flap, the dorsal thoracic fascia can be folded and tailored into variable width and thickness to correct subtle deformity of facial contour such as Romberg's disease or facial lipodystrophy. The omental free flap is not considered the first choice in facial contouring surgery as it requires laparotomy and has a greater tendency to gravitational migration.