Reconstruction Of Neck Defects By Pre-Expanded Occipito-Cervico-Dorsal Island Flaps

• Published in: Cukurova Medical Journal Vol. 41; no. 3
• Main Authors: Eser,Cengiz, Olguner,Anıl Arif, Sabancıoğularından,Serkan, Gencel,Eyüphan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Çukurova Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi 01.03.2016
• Subjects: Tıp; Türkiye; Adana; perforator; Neck defect; ekspansiyon; flap; occipito-cervico-dorsal; perforatör; preekspanse; flep; expansion; pre-expanded; Boyun defekti; oksipito-serviko-dorsal
• ISSN: 2602-3032; 2602-3040
• DOI: 10.17826/cukmedj.237485

Purpose: Neck defects usually occur after burn contracture release and benign or malignant neck tumor excisions. Frequently used neck skin reconstruction methods are skin grafting, Z-Plasties, skin pedicled or perforator flaps, and free flaps. Pre-expanded perforator skin flaps are useful options for skin defect reconstructions. Pre-expansion of the skin flap provides more tissue for the reconstruction and donor area closure. Additionally, defect reconstructions used by adjacent skin maintain a good tissue colour and texture match with the defect. Material and Methods: In this study, 8 patients (neck burn contracture release (n=7) and congenital giant hairy nevus excision (n=1)) whose neck defects were reconstructed with 11 pre-expanded occipito-cervico- dorsal perforator island flaps were evaluated. The maximum and minimum flap sizes were 9x23 cm and 5x13 cm respectively. Mean age of the patients was 15.8 and mean expansion time was 11.5 weeks. Results: Mean follow-up time was 27.8 months. We encountered an expander exposition in one case and 50% flap necrosis in another case. Aesthetic and functional improvement was observed in all patients. Conclusion: The pre-expanded occipito-cervico-dorsal perforator island flap is useful in moderate sized lateral neck defects. The aforementioned flap provides good tissue compliance and colour with neck and minimal donor area morbidity. It is a new useful reconstructive method in patients with lateral neck defects, who have a healthy cervico-dorsal skin and do not have useful ventral skin.