Cervical Defect Reconstruction Using Preexpanded Neck Flaps Transferred in a Scarf-wrapping Manner.

OBJECTIVE

Cervical burn scar contractures can be repaired using many modalities, including skin grafts, pedicled and free flaps. Although preexpanded cervical flaps can provide a like-with-like reconstruction, a simple advancement transfer of the flaps often fails to achieve ideal outcomes. The authors aimed to introduce a method using the preexpanded cervical flaps transferred in a scarf-wrapping manner to repair neck defects.

METHODS

The surgery was divided into 2 stages. In the first stage of the surgery, an expander was implanted above the platysma muscle on each side of the neck. After adequate inflation of the expanders, second-stage operations commenced. Following the expander removal, one flap was rotated upward to repair the neck defect, whereas the other flap was rotated downward to repair the neck defect and close the donor site of the first flap. Data on patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes were also collected.

RESULTS

Between July 2004 and May 2024, 24 patients underwent neck reconstructions using this method. Four patients had grade I cervical contractures, and 20 had grade II. The mean size of the defects was 15.62×5.75 cm (range: 6×6-18×10 cm). The average dimension of the neck flap was 15.02×7.65 cm (range: 9×6-20×10 cm). All the flaps survived with no perfusion-related complications. The average improvement in the cervico-mental angle was 29.25 degrees (range: 10-45 degrees). Postsurgery follow-up ranged from 4 to 155 months (mean: 22 mo). All patients and their families were satisfied with the outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Preexpanded cervical flaps transferred in a scarf-wrapping manner can be used to reconstruct grade I and II cervical scar contractures and provide a like-with-like reconstruction of the neck.