ABSTRACT
Since 1996, 13 patients have undergone the reconstruction of facial skin defects with subcutaneous bipedicle island skin flaps. The reasons for the surgery were basal cell carcinoma in 10 patients and benign skin tumor excision in three patients. All defects were reconstructed with subcutaneous bipedicle skin flaps without significant complications. Bipedicle subcutaneous skin flaps are a useful alternative for facial reconstruction.
Subject(s)
Face/surgery , Surgical Flaps , Facial Neoplasms/surgery , Humans , Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods , Skin Neoplasms/surgeryABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the cellular quality of prefabricated bone grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Small pieces of iliac bone were placed around the neurovascular bundle on the dorsal aspect of the ear of 11 one-month-old baby rabbits to create a prefabricated vascularized graft. In five animals, the prefabricated bone grafts were harvested for histologic examination 12 months later. In a second group of 6 rabbits, the prefabricated bone grafts, with the neurovascular bundle as a pedicle, were transferred after 30 days to a defect created by removing 1 cm of the midportion of zygoma on the right side of the face. The transferred bone was removed for histologic examination 11 months later. RESULTS: In both groups, microscopic examination showed the presence of a rich, vascular network and similar histologic characteristics to those of normal iliac bone. CONCLUSION: The findings support the concept that prefabricated bone grafts are a potentially useful source for bony reconstruction.
