You-Yuan Wang1, Song Fan2, Da-Ming Zhang2, Zhao-Yu Lin3, Wei-Liang Chen4, Jin-Song Li4. 1. Attending Physician, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: sumswangyy@163.com. 2. Attending Physician, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. 3. Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. 4. Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The fibular flap donor site after skin paddle harvest is usually covered with abdominal full-thickness skin grafts. However, this kind of skin graft creates an inevitable third operative area and additional esthetic damage. The aim of this report was to present a novel approach to manage fibular donor site defects using a full-thickness skin graft from the adjacent area and avoid further esthetic damage in a third area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients underwent mandibular and maxillary defect reconstruction using free fibular osteocutaneous flaps and the fibular donor-site defects were covered with full-thickness skin grafts from the adjacent area. The skin harvesting sites were closed primarily. RESULTS: The skin donor sites were closed without dehiscence in all cases. Fifteen full-thickness skin grafts survived completely, whereas 2 grafts were partial failures. There were no complete skin graft losses. All fibular osteocutaneous flaps were viable, and the recipient sites had no complications. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that adjacent full-thickness skin grafts provide a straightforward and reliable technique for closure of the free fibular osteocutaneous flap donor site. The primary advantage of this technique is the avoidance of a third surgical site, an additional surgical scar, and subsequent additional esthetic impairment.
PURPOSE: The fibular flap donor site after skin paddle harvest is usually covered with abdominal full-thickness skin grafts. However, this kind of skin graft creates an inevitable third operative area and additional esthetic damage. The aim of this report was to present a novel approach to manage fibular donor site defects using a full-thickness skin graft from the adjacent area and avoid further esthetic damage in a third area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients underwent mandibular and maxillary defect reconstruction using free fibular osteocutaneous flaps and the fibular donor-site defects were covered with full-thickness skin grafts from the adjacent area. The skin harvesting sites were closed primarily. RESULTS: The skin donor sites were closed without dehiscence in all cases. Fifteen full-thickness skin grafts survived completely, whereas 2 grafts were partial failures. There were no complete skin graft losses. All fibular osteocutaneous flaps were viable, and the recipient sites had no complications. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that adjacent full-thickness skin grafts provide a straightforward and reliable technique for closure of the free fibular osteocutaneous flap donor site. The primary advantage of this technique is the avoidance of a third surgical site, an additional surgical scar, and subsequent additional esthetic impairment.