Use of expanded deltopectoral skin flaps for facial reconstruction after sizeable benign tumor resections

摘要

The overall unsightliness of expansive benign facial tumors imposes both physical and mental suffering. Although excision is generally the optimal recourse in such instances, reconstructing the subsequent surgical defects is always a critical issue. Herein, we have described our experiences using expanded deltopectoral skin flaps to manage large facial wounds after excising benign tumors. Our endeavor called for retrospective review of 22 patients presenting between July 2007 and March 2017 with various facial growths, including hemangiomas, nevi, and neurofibromas. Depending upon areas of facial involvement, unilateral or bilateral deltopectoral skin flaps were expanded. The stepwise process was as follows: expander implantation, flap transfer, pedicle delay, and eventual separation. Ultimately, all 22 patients undergoing this procedure expressed satisfaction with the results in terms of skin texture, color, and flexibility. This particular method may thus be a reasonable choice for repairing sizeable defects in the wake of benign facial tumor excisions.