ObjectiveTo explore the plastic surgical treatment and the way to reduce hemorrhage for scalp and facial plexiform neurofibromas. MethodsBetween July 2004 and July 2013, 20 patients with scalp and facial plexiform neurofibromas (17 cases of neurofibromatosis type Ⅰ and 3 cases of plexiform neurofibroma) were treated, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 9 males and 11 females with an average age of 37 years (range, 18-56 years). The disease duration ranged from 8 to 56 years (mean, 19 years). The scalp was involved in 6 cases, the face in 7 cases, and both the scalp and face in 7 cases. The extent of involvement ranged from 4 cm×3 cm to 15 cm×13 cm. Obvious pigmentation was seen in 2 cases. Endovascular embolization was performed before surgical intervention in 4 cases. Preliminary sutures around the lesion were carried out in 18 cases having an involved range over 5 cm×5 cm. One-stage excision was performed in 17 cases, and two-stage excision in 3 cases. Wound repair and facial orthopedic treatment were performed after tumor excision. ResultsThe intraoperative blood loss was 100-500 mL (mean, 300 mL) for patients undergoing single operation. For 3 patients undergoing two-stage excision, the blood loss of the first operation was 500, 600, and 800 mL respectively, and the blood loss of the second operation was all 50 mL. Autologous blood transfusion of 200, 400, and 400 mL was performed in 3 cases respectively. The preliminary sutures were removed at 3-7 days (mean, 5 days) after operation. All the incisions healed primarily without secondary hemorrhage and hematoma, and the flap and skin graft survived totally. Fifteen patients were followed up 1 year to 7 years (mean, 2.5 years). All patients showed significant improvement in appearance. No significant progression, expanding, and sagging were observed. ConclusionEndovascular embolization and preliminary sutures around the lesion can be used to reduce hemorrhage in resection of plexiform neurofibroma in the scalp and face. Personalized surgical plan of benign neurofibromatosis should be made to reduce the tumor mass, to improve function and appearance.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of repairing temporal skin and soft tissue defects and reconstructing sideburns with superficial temporal artery composite perforator flap.MethodsBetween January 2018 and January 2019, 12 patients with temporal tumors were treated. There were 5 males and 7 females with an average age of 51 years (range, 37-68 years). There were 8 cases of basal cell carcinoma and 4 cases of squamous cell carcinoma. The disease duration ranged from 3 months to 4 years (mean, 13 months). The area of residual wound after tumor resection was 3.8 cm×2.5 cm-5.2 cm×3.5 cm. The superficial temporal artery composite perforator flap was designed. The hairy superficial temporal artery frontal branch perforator flap was used to repair the hair growing area and reconstruct the sideburn; and the area of the flap was 2.5 cm×1.0 cm-4.2 cm×3.0 cm. And the superficial temporal artery descending branch perforator flap without hair was used to repair the hair-free area; and the area of the flap was 2.5 cm×1.5 cm-7.5 cm×4.0 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly.ResultsAll flaps survived, and the incisions at the donor and recipient sites healed by first intention. Eleven patients were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 9 months). The incisions were not obvious. The flaps were flat and the color of the flaps were not significantly different from the surrounding skin. The reconstructed sideburns were consistent with the healthy side and the facial appearance was satisfactory. No local tumor recurred during follow-up.ConclusionFor the temporal skin and soft tissue defects involving the sideburn, the superficial temporal artery composite perforator flap can be used to repair subunits with different aesthetic characteristics in sections and has the advantages of operating simply, obtaining satisfied facial appearance, and little effect on the donor site.