The efficacy of dermofat grafts from the groin forcorrection of acquired facial deformities

ABSTRACT

Background@#Posttraumatic acquired facial deformities require surgical treatment, with optionsincluding scar revision, fat grafts, implant insertion, and flap coverage. However, each techniquehas specific advantages and disadvantages. @*Methods@#From 2016 to 2018, 13 patients (eight with scar contracture and five with a depressedscar) were treated using dermofat grafts from the groin. The harvested dermofat was then insertedinto the undermined dead space after the contracture was released, and a bolster suture wasdone for fixation considering the patient’s contour and asymmetry. A modified version of the VancouverScar Scale and satisfaction survey were used to compare deformity improvements beforeand after surgery. @*Results@#In most cases, effective volume correction and an aesthetically satisfactory contourwere maintained well after dermofat grafting, without any major complications. In some cases,however, lipolysis proceeded rapidly when inflammation and infection were not completely eliminated.A significant difference was found in the modified Vancouver Scar Scale before and aftersurgery, with a p-value of 0.001. The average score on the satisfaction survey was 17.07 out of 20points. @*Conclusion@#A dermofat graft with the groin as the donor site can be considered as an effectivesurgical option that is the simplest and most cost-effective method for the treatment of acquiredfacial deformities with scar contracture.