Complications, salvage, and enhancement of local flaps in facial reconstruction.

Complications are part of every surgical procedure and their occurrences are inevitable if the surgeon performs enough operations during his/her lifetime. Learning how to prevent complications and how to manage them when they occur are as important as learning how to perform any given surgical procedure. This is especially true in facial reconstruction with local flaps, as complications threaten not only the functional restoration of the integrity, but also the cosmetic appearance of the patient. This article describes common complications and their underlying mechanisms seen in facial reconstruction with local flaps as well as their treatment or prevention, when possible.