Temporoparietal Fasciocutaneous Island Flap for Forehead and Anterior Scalp Reconstruction.

Background: Forehead and anterior scalp large defect reconstruction is challenging and often requires skin grafting. Objective: To measure the advancing distance and the survival of the temporoparietal fascia (TPF) island flap in forehead and anterior scalp reconstruction. Methods: The study design was a retrospective case series. Participants included all patients who had undergone TPF island flap for forehead and anterior scalp defects of 3 cm and greater from 2009 to 2021. Flap advancing distance and vascular compromise were analyzed. Results: Patient's average age at time of surgery was 73 (standard deviation [SD] 14) years with more males (n = 24, 67%) than females (n = 12, 33%). Of 36 patients, 24 had forehead and 12 had anterior scalp defects, 26 cases had a full TPF island flap, and 10 cases underwent the partial island modification. Flap edge ischemia occurred in two cases (6%) and complete ischemia occurred in one case (3%). The median flap advancing distance was 3.7 cm (SD 1.2). Conclusions: In this 12-year review, we found that the TPF island flap is able to advance up to 7.5 cm and thus is an effective reconstruction for medium to large forehead and anterior scalp defects.

Functional Nasal Surgery in a Compromised Soft Tissue Envelope.

Functional nasal surgery in the setting of a compromised soft tissue envelope (STE) requires significant planning and preparation. Proper preoperative evaluation is imperative to assess the degree of STE compromise and determine the best surgical approach. Alternative approaches to functional nasal surgery, such as limited access surgical approaches, should be considered to minimize complications while achieving functional improvement. Given the increased risk of ischemia and necrosis in individuals with a history of a compromised STE, a comprehensive postoperative treatment algorithm is necessary to identify and treat signs of early vascular compromise.

Myomucosal Lip Island Flap for Reconstruction of Small to Medium Lower Lip Defects.

Importance: Reconstruction of small to medium lower lip defects commonly includes mucosal advancement and wedge excision with primary closure, resulting in aesthetic complications such as lip flattening, shortening, and loss of the vermilion roll. The myomucosal lip island flap offers an alternative that preserves lower lip appearance and function. Objective: To describe the lateral myomucosal lip island flap and its indications for the reconstruction of small to medium lower lip defects. Design, Setting, and Participants: A retrospective chart analysis of patients from 2014 to 2019 was done. Participants include all consecutive patients of the senior author who had the myomucosal lip island flap employed in the lower lip from 2014 when the senior author began employing this technique, including 20 patients. Patient demographics, surgical indications, surgical defect bridging distances, flap advancing distances, functional complications, and aesthetic outcomes were reported. IRB approval was obtained from St. Joseph Health Center for Clinical Research and surgeries were performed at a private tertiary referral center-Skin Cancer and Reconstructive Surgery Center-by the senior author in a multispecialty practice. Main Outcomes and Measures: Location and flaps utilized to reconstruct the defect were reported. Lateral advancing distance and overall bridging distance were measured. Functional complications, if any, were reported. Appearance rating after the first stage was assessed. Results: This case series included 20 patients with lower lip defects reconstructed with myomucosal lip island flaps. The average bridging distance (width of defect) was 1.7 cm (minimum 1.0 cm, maximum 2.8 cm). Of 18 patients with available postoperative photographs, 4 cases (22%) had mild vermilion inferior retraction, 1 case (6%) had mild contour irregularity, and 1 case (6%) had visible white scar in the red lip. Conclusions and Relevance: The myomucosal lip island flap is a reliable technique for reconstruction of small to medium lower lip defects, preserving lip fullness and the vermilion roll.

Superior Extended Nasal Myocutaneous Island Flap: An Alternative to Forehead Flap Reconstruction of the Nose.

Importance: Medium and large nasal defects are mostly addressed with paramedian forehead flap reconstruction. The superior extended nasal myocutaneous island (SENMI) flap offers an alternative that can be single stage and can avoid a gross deformity. Objective: To describe a new flap for nasal reconstruction of medium and large nasal defects and to define the flap's limitations and indications. Design, Setting, and Participants: This original study was a retrospective case series of patients who underwent SENMI flap reconstruction from 2008 to 2018 at a private tertiary referral center-Skin Cancer and Reconstructive Surgery Center (SCARS Center). Participants included all consecutive patients of the senior author who had undergone SENMI flap from September 2012 to December 2018, consisting of 53 patients. Indications for surgery were mostly skin cancer defects, postreconstructive, and post-traumatic deformities. IRB approval was obtained from the St. Joseph Health Center for Clinical Research. Main Outcomes and Measures: The location of the defects was defined. The vertical length of flap advancement was measured. Number of stages required to achieve functional and aesthetic goals was reported. Appearance rating after the first stage was assessed. Results: A total of 53 patients [mean age 68 (range 30-92) years; 26 (49%) female and 27 (51%) male] were included in the case series. Reconstructed areas included 8 in the upper two-thirds of the nose (dorsum and sidewall), 34 in nasal tip, 32 in nasal ala, 12 in soft tissue triangle and infratip, and 13 full thickness defects of the alar rim. The flap advancing distance defined the nature of flap mobility. Of 53 patients, 41 had up to 2.0 cm of flap advancement and 12 had 2.0 to 3.2 cm of advancement. Of 52 patients aesthetically evaluated, 43 had mild or no detectable shape deformity on photographic evaluation after one stage. Single stage was performed in 25 patients, two stages in 21 patients, and three stages in 7 patients. Functional nasal valve stenosis was present in 18 patients (33%) after one stage. Partial flap ischemia occurred in two patients (4%). Conclusions and Relevance: SENMI flap is an effective technique for nasal reconstruction. It offers a single- or two-stage alternative with less temporary deformity in comparison with forehead flap reconstruction.

Use of a Lateral Extended Nasal Island Flap for Nasal Reconstruction.

IMPORTANCE: Small and medium nasal defects of the nose have been treated mostly with local skin flaps and skin grafts producing variable aesthetic outcomes. The lateral extended nasal island (LENI) myocutaneous flap provides a reliable single-stage reconstruction for small to medium nasal defects, including those in the nasal tip, with excellent cosmetic results. OBJECTIVE: To describe and define a new version of the lateral nasal island flap for small to medium nasal defects. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective case series included all patients who had undergone reconstruction with the lateral nasal island flaps and LENI flaps from October 2009 to July 2018 with 97 consecutive cases studied. Indications for surgery were mostly skin cancer defects. The analysis was performed from January 1, 2018, through December 15, 2018. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The location and the size of the defects were defined. Number of stages required to achieve functional and aesthetic goals was reported. Appearance rating after the first stage was assessed. RESULTS: The case series included 82 patients (mean age, 64 years [range, 31-90 years]; 36 [43%] women and 46 [57%] men). These 82 patients' flaps qualified as the LENI flap. Of these, 54 (65%) were used for nasal tip reconstruction. The flap advancing distance ranged from 0.7 cm to 1.8 cm (mean advancing distance, 1.2 cm). Of 67 patients with available postoperative photographic documentation, 44 had mild or undetectable signs of reconstruction, 21 had visible scars, and 3 had obvious deformities. A single-stage procedure was performed in 66 cases, 2 stages in 15 cases, and 3 stages in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The LENI myocutaneous flap is a reliable technique for reconstruction of nasal defects up to 1.8 cm. The extended dissection and release of the flap at piriform aperture achieves the predictable outcome and separates it from the previously described lateral nasal island flaps. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.