The mental rotation flap

Abstract

Two types of random pattern rotation flaps around the chin are described for the closure of small to moderate defects of the lateral chin. Over an 18 month period (September 2007-April 2008) three patients with a mean age of 74 years had skin cancers excised as an outpatient under local anaesthetic, leaving skin defects from 2.0×1.9 cm to 1.9×2.9 cm. The flaps were raised with a defect to flap ratio of 1:3 at the adipose-muscle interface with direct closure in all cases and the mental nerve was not seen. All patients had completely excised basal cell carcinomas (BCC). The mean follow up was 6 months. There was one superficial infection but no flap loss and good cosmetic outcomes.