Reconstruction of Suborbital area using Composite Radial Forearm Free Flap with Palmaris Longus Tendon immediately after Wide Excision of Skin Cancer

피부 악성 종양 절제 후 장장근건을 포함한 복합 요골 전완 유리 피판술을 이용한 중안면부의 재건

  • Lee, Hyun-Taek (Department of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, College of Medicine, Seoul National University) ;
  • Minn, Kyoung-Won (Department of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, College of Medicine, Seoul National University)
  • 이현택 (서울대학교 의과대학 성형외과학교실) ;
  • 민경원 (서울대학교 의과대학 성형외과학교실)
  • Published : 2001.05.31

Abstract

The reconstruction of the suborbital area followed by resection of skin cancer has been used many methods including skin graft, local flaps, free flaps, and skin expansion. The radial forearm free flap has become a workhorse flap in this area because of its lack of bulk, ease of dissection, malleability, and hairlessness. When the suborbital defect especially including full-thickness defect of lower lid was reconstructed with many free flaps, the ectropion and the deformity of medial and lateral canthal area were common problems encountered as late complication due to gravitational descent. To improve the final aesthetic result in patients with suborbital defect, the radial forearm free flap was elevated as a composite radial forearm - palmaris longus free flap, in which the vascularized palmaris longus london was included and anchored to the periorbital bone with $mitek^{(R)}$ as sling, to suspend the flap against gravity and inferior descent, and thereby creating a more natural cheek contour. Two clinical cases were presented as an example of this procedure. Postoperative results emphasize the importance of suspension sling with palmaris longus tendon using $mitek^{(R)}$ in reconstruction of the suborbital defect with radial forearm free flap.

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