[Microsurgical repair of skin and soft tissue defects on head, face, and neck].

OBJECTIVE

To study the microsurgical method of repairing skin and soft tissue defects on head, face, and neck.

METHODS

Thirty-one patients with skin and soft tissue defects on the head, face, or neck were hospitalized from July 2007 to May 2010, including 10 cases of scalp defects, 4 cases of skin and soft tissue defects on face, and 17 cases of skin and soft tissue defects on neck. Among them, the cause in 20 cases was trauma, and in 11 cases they were secondary to release of cicatricial contraction. Free flaps were transplanted to repair the wounds, including 13 latissimus dorsi flaps, 3 lateral thoracic flaps, 5 scapular flaps, and 10 anterolateral thigh flaps. The area of flaps ranged from 8 cm × 5 cm to 25 cm × 18 cm.

RESULTS

All flaps survived, and all the wounds healed by first intention. The average length of hospital stay was 16.7 days. Twenty-eight patients were followed up for 2 months, and in all of them satisfactory function and appearance were restored.

CONCLUSIONS

Free flap graft based on microsurgery can repair wound of skin and soft tissue defects on head, face and neck by a single operation, which eases suffering of patients, and shortens the length of hospital stay.