Extended Vertical Trapezius Fasciocutaneous Flap in Face and Neck Burn Scar Reconstruction

Hafezi, F.; Naghibzadeh, B.; Pegah Mehr, M.; Badohi, N.; Nouhi, A.H.

Extended Vertical Trapezius Fasciocutaneous Flap in Face and Neck Burn Scar Reconstruction

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

F. Hafezi ¹

B. Naghibzadeh ²

M. Pegah Mehr ³

N. Badohi ⁴

A.H. Nouhi ⁵

¹ Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery, Iran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, St. Fatima Hospital, Tehran, Iran

² Associate Professor of ENT Surgery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Tehran, Iran

³ General Surgeon, Iran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Motahary Burn and Reconstructive Hospital, Tehran, Iran

⁴ Assistant Professor of General Surgery, Iran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Motahary Burn and Reconstructive Hospital, Tehran, Iran

⁵ General Practitioner, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction & Objective: Elevation of the skin with its deep fascia vascular network is a recent facility for flap design. Longitudinal trapezius fasciocutaneous flap introduced primarily at 1996 but did not receive enough attention, although it has many significant benefits comparing to the other available procedures. Materials & Methods: Sixteen trapezius fasciocutaneous flaps were used in 15 patients for severe scarring of the neck and mid face reconstruction. All flaps were based on the deep branch of the transverse cervical artery and included overlying fascia of trapezius muscle. Delaying was applied for very long flaps. Results: Two flaps developed minimal distal necrosis(less than 5 cm) due to longer pedicle (more than 10 cm below the muscle border).The result indicates that the extra-long, back fascia flap based on descending branch of transverse cervical artery could be formed long enough to reconstruct whole neck and safely transferred to mid face. Conclusions: The vertical trapezius fascio-cutaneous flap with its abundant tissue, excellent blood supply and anatomic proximity with wide arc of rotation and hidden donor site scar, provides a simple and reliable method for primary reconstruction of various mid - face and neck defects.

Keywords

Face and Neck Burn Scar

Back Flap

Hidden Donor Site