Free Style Perforator Flaps for Aesthetic Facial Reconstruction

BACKGROUND Functional and cosmetic outcomes affect reconstruction of the face more than any region of the body. To use a predetermined perforator flap freely designed allowing a wide range of movement and manipulation can give us an optimum outcome. We present our clinical experience with free style facial perforator flaps, surgical technique, and complications. METHODS Thirty patients with post-tumor resection of the face were reconstructed with free style local perforator flaps between January 2014 and November 2016. Doppler was used to identify the perforator vessels preoperatively. RESULTS Twenty-two clinical cases had no complications. Four had venous congestion that resolved spontaneously, three had a distal 1/3 superficial necrosis, and one suffered from hematoma. CONCLUSION Freestyle perforator flaps were applied to get better cosmetic facial reconstruction, allowing one stage procedure and decreasing donor site morbidity. Modern anatomical understanding, good planning, and meticulous surgical technique can affect clinical results.