Use of suborbicularis oculi fat flap to cover peri-orbital bone exposure

Abstract

Wide resection of recurrent basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in the peri-orbital-infraorbital-nasal area may include periosteum resection with maxillary or nasal bone exposure. The absence of vascularized periosteum makes the defect ungraftable and local flaps are often required. As an alternative to a large single flap or a combination of flaps, it is possible to turn the ungraftable portion of the defect into a graftable one. The suborbicularis oculi fat (SOOF) flap is an advancement flap that is used in aesthetic surgery for midface rejuvenation. The use of the SOOF flap along with a full-thickness skin graft, as an alternative to the use of other standardized flaps to cover defects in the peri-orbital-infraorbital-nasal area with avascularized tissue or noble structure exposure, is reported herein. As an immediate single-stage reconstruction, this procedure leaves other flap options intact in the event of re-operation for a recurrent tumour.

Keywords: SOOF flap; bone exposure; facial reconstruction; fat flap; skin graft.