Objective: To investigate the procedures and effectiveness of platysma scar flap for reconstructing mentocervical appearance in patients with mentocervical cicatricial contracture deformity.
Methods: Between April 2004 and August 2011, 26 patients with mentocervical cicatricial contracture deformities were admitted. There were 15 males and 11 females, aged 12-31 years (mean, 18 years). The causes included scald injury in 19 cases and flame injury in 7 cases, including 23 cases of deep second degree burn and 3 cases of third degree burn. The time between injury and scar formation was 6-27 months (mean, 10 months). The mentocervical angle was (117.10 +/- 14.46) degrees, and the cervicomental angle was (143.38 +/- 15.68) degrees. The platysma scar flap transfer (8 cm x 7 cm to 10 cm x 8 cm in size) and skin grafting were performed to reconstruct mentocervical appearance.
Results: The flap and skin graft all survived and the incisions healed by first intention. All the patients were followed up 6 months-3 years (mean, 16 months). The mentocervical and cervicomental angles were significantly reduced to (89.31 +/- 6.30) degrees and (117.83 +/- 10.65) degrees respectively at 2 weeks after operation (P < 0.05), showing no significant difference when compared with normal mentocervical angle (90 degrees) and cervicomental angle (120 degrees) (P > 0.05). The satisfactory results of the mentocervical appearance and cervical extension function were obtained in 21 patients whose mentocervical and cervicomental angles were restored to normal.
Conclusion: Platysma scar flap transfer is an effective method to reconstruct mentocervical appearance and reduce mentocervical and cervicomental angles in patients with mentocervical cicatricial contracture deformity.