Salvage of a Necrotic Flap

J Craniofac Surg. 2017 Jul;28(5):e415-e416. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000003584.

Abstract

Objective: To report the case of a 68-year-old woman with a skin basal cell carcinoma on the nasal dorsum. After excision, the soft tissue defect was reconstructed using a rectangular advancement flap. However, 2 days later skin necrosis was observed. This report was issued to advise how to avoid and manage skin necrosis after regional flap placement.

Methods: This is a retrospective study.

Results: Superficial skin necrosis recovered completely after proper medical management.

Conclusions: When planning an advancement flap, care should be taken to design the flap properly and not to injure flap blood supply to avoid skin necrosis. In addition, surgeons should be aware of the difference between superficial and total flap necrosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell* / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell* / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Necrosis / etiology
  • Necrosis / pathology
  • Necrosis / therapy
  • Nose Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Nose Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures* / adverse effects
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures* / instrumentation
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures* / methods
  • Postoperative Complications* / etiology
  • Postoperative Complications* / pathology
  • Postoperative Complications* / therapy
  • Salvage Therapy / methods*
  • Skin Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Surgical Flaps* / blood supply
  • Surgical Flaps* / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome