Face and Neck Resurfacing with Various Patterns of Supraclavicular Flaps

ABSTRACT

It is no doubt that flaps for resurfacing the face and neck should have appropriate thickness and good color match. Tissue expansion has been widely used for this purpose but, its result may be sometimes disappointed for resurfacing the face and neck, especially anterior neck, because of obtuse cervicomental angle. For resurfacing, various techniques such as tissue expansion, postauricular free flap and submental flap have been used and supraclavicular flap was also provided as a good tool with good color and texture match. In the aspect of easy approach for neighboring face and neck resurfacing, supraclavucular area can be recommended as the first choice of flap selection. We experienced 8 patients who require to resurface the face and neck by using supraclavicular flap and we obtained good results without complications. All the flaps were based on the supraclavicular pedicle originated from transverse cervical artery and various pattern of modification such as expanded, supercharged or free flap. Patients were listed with postburn contracture or posttraumatic deformity and supraclavicular flap was used as a free flap in 4 cases and an island flap in 4 cases. Supraclavicular flap as a free flap is one of ideal methods for face and upper neck resurfacing and may be used for neck reconstruction as an island flap. Although tissue expansion of neck was not ideal for resurfacing of low face and anterior neck, but it was effective for lateral neck and infraauricular region resurfacing with insertion of tissue expander into supraclavicular area. In conclusion, supraclavicular flap can be effectively used as various patterns including expansion, island flap and free flap without noticeable donor scar.