Freehand full-thickness grafting for facial defects: a review of methods

J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1997 Oct;55(10):1050-6. doi: 10.1016/s0278-2391(97)90277-9.

Abstract

Purpose: This article reviews the use of full-thickness skin grafts for closure of facial defects.

Patients and methods: In almost 3 years, 30 patients had full-thickness skin grafting after removal of premalignant or malignant facial skin lesions. The most common graft harvest sites included the preauricular and postauricular, neck, and supraclavicular areas.

Results: Few complications were seen except for rare surface necrosis and depression of the grafted site, and the esthetic results were generally satisfactory.

Conclusion: Full-thickness skin grafts offer a reliable alternative to the use of flaps in selected cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery
  • Esthetics
  • Face / surgery*
  • Facial Neoplasms / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Keratosis / surgery
  • Male
  • Melanoma / surgery
  • Necrosis
  • Precancerous Conditions / surgery
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery
  • Skin Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Skin Transplantation / methods*
  • Skin Transplantation / pathology
  • Wound Healing