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Objective: To review and report our experience with the subcutaneous pedicle flap in the reconstruction of defects adjacent to the melolabial crease., Design: Retrospective review., Setting: Cutaneous surgery unit of an academic tertiary referral center., Patients: One hundred nine patients with defects of the lateral aspect of the upper lip, the medial aspect of the cheek, and the melolabial crease after Moh excision of cutaneous lesions., Conclusions: In our experience, the subcutaneous pedicle advancement flap is often ideally suited to the reconstruction of cutaneous defects adjacent to the melolabial crease. We have been particularly satisfied with the results of this reconstructive technique when addressing deep defects adjoining the alar facial sulcus in patients with full cheeks.

Correction of the aesthetically short nose is one of the most challenging problems in facial plastic surgery. We discuss several techniques aimed at the correction of this problem and propose an algorithm based on the desired effect of the lengthening procedure on tip rotation. Five principal techniques for nasal lengthening are discussed, with figures and cases to illustrate the concepts: (1) the flying buttress graft, which is made up of a single or paired spreader grafts secured to a columellar strut; (2) caudal septal grafts and (3) tip grafts of various shapes; (4) radix grafts placed to elevate the nasion; and (5) interposition grafts placed between the upper and lower lateral cartilages. When the tip is overrotated, small to moderate gains in nasal length may be achieved by a triangular-shaped caudal septal graft or a shield graft that is backed by wedge grafts near the tip. More substantial lengthening and derotation can be achieved by the flying buttress technique or by interposition cartilage or composite grafting between the upper and lower lateral cartilages. With a nasal tip that is adequately rotated or underrotated, nasal lengthening can be achieved by a rectangular-shaped caudal septal graft or by a full-length shield graft. An onlay graft to augment the radix and elevate the nasion to a higher point on the dorsum can be used alone or in combination with a tip or septal graft.

Objective: To combine certain aspects of the sub-superficial musculoaponeurotic system (sub-SMAS) and subperiosteal rhytidectomies to maximize the advantages while minimizing the disadvantages of each., Design: The subperiosteal rhytidectomy is used to reposition the ptotic malar fat pad concomitantly with the elevation of the corner of the mouth by means of shifting upward the origin of the zygomatic major muscle. The sub-SMAS rhytidectomy is used to maximize elevation of the jowl., Setting: Ambulatory surgical facility., Method: Preauricular and temporal dissection is subcutaneous to the malar eminence above and angle of mandible below. A subperiosteal dissection of the middle part of the face is then accomplished through a sublabial approach combined with an incision over the malar eminence. An incision is made through the SMAS from the malar eminence to the mandibular angle and sub-SMAS dissection is accomplished under the jowl. The subperiosteal dissection is suspended to the temporal fascia and the SMAS dissection is imbricated with 2 suspension suture lines., Conclusions: Follow-up in patients who are 1-year postoperative demonstrates a continued youthful elevation and flattening of the melolabial fold and complete correction of the jowl. No facial nerve injury or hematomas were observed.

The alar-facial sulcus is an important topographical region because it represents a junctional zone of three cosmetic units: the nasal base, the medial aspect of the cheek, and the upper lip. Too often, the sulcus is violated by transposition flaps that have been harvested from the cheek to reconstruct defects of the nasal-alar lobule. When the sulcus is violated by surgery, it is difficult to restore a completely natural appearance. For this reason, we suggest an alternative method of reconstructing the alar lobule through the use of an interpolated flap. When defects extend into the alar-facial sulcus, reconstruction of the sulcus is necessary and should be accomplished with a separate skin flap from that used to repair the nasal component of the defect. When a single flap is used to reconstruct both lobule and sulcus, restoration of a completely natural-appearing sulcus is rarely achieved and usually involves multiple surgical procedures often facilitated by aggressive flap contouring, secondary intention healing, and Z-plasty. We describe our methodology in restoring the alar-facial sulcus after nasal reconstruction.

Objective: To repair surgical defects of the middle and distal third of the nose., Design: The anatomic and technical design of the Rieger (dorsonasal) flap is described., Conclusion: When performed on properly selected patients, the Rieger flap is an aesthetically predictable, one-stage procedure.

Tissue expansion offers the reconstructive surgeon a better option than the conventional methods of skin grafts or the transfer for non-hair-bearing, regional or microsurgical flaps for reconstructing large defects that cannot be repaired with adjacent hair-bearing flaps. Aspects of preoperative planning and technical factors of scalp expansion are presented to assist the clinician in managing these difficult reconstructive challenges.

To our knowledge, a histologic evaluation of bone healing after mandible reconstruction with vascularized human bone grafts has not been previously reported. Serial sections through both the decalcified graft and the junction between mandible and graft were evaluated in four patients who required surgical removal of their reconstructed mandibles. A failed scapular bone graft that had been wrapped within a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap for salvage following pedicle thrombosis showed markedly resorbed but viable bone with a fibrous union to the native mandible. Viable vascularized grafts without evidence of ongoing resorption characterized an iliac osteocutaneous bone graft and two scapula osteocutaneous grafts that healed with continuity of healthy bone between graft and mandible. Observations from the evaluation of these specimens are made regarding bone circulation, bone union, and bone graft survival as they occur clinically. Implications regarding the techniques of bone plating and indications for use of vascularized bone in mandible reconstruction are discussed.

A prolonged tissue expansion has the advantage of creating large amounts of additional skin for reconstructing cutaneous defects that might not be possible without the use of multiple, regional, distant, or microsurgical flaps. In spite of this, there are disadvantages, many of which can be circumvented by the use of rapid intraoperative tissue expansion instead. Although rapid expansion does not increase skin surface area as much as prolonged expansion, it may be helpful in assisting with closure of defects that might otherwise be problematic.

Tissue expansion is indicated in the reconstruction of various defects of the head and neck in instances where there is inadequate adjacent tissue to allow either primary closure of the defect or repair with a local flap. It may also be indicated in instances where repair of a defect by an alternative method such as a local, regional, or distant flap will result in an unacceptable donor or recipient site deformity. Although tissue expansion is simplistic in concept, it does require judgment and indepth preoperative planning to ensure optimal results. The complication rate is high for tissue expansion in the head and neck, particularly in the cheek and neck area. Despite the frequency of complications, in the vast majority of cases the intended reconstruction is successful.

Although the initial reports of tracheoesophageal puncture after total laryngectomy reported little to no morbidity, subsequent studies with longer follow-up have reported a significant number of complications. We present the first reported case (to our knowledge) of prolapse of the posterior tracheal wall with diverticulum formation developing 6 years after continuous use of tracheoesophageal puncture speech. Preoperative assessment with a barium esophagogram and rigid esophagoscopy aided in the successful surgical treatment of this disorder. The pathogenesis of this complication and method of repair are discussed.

Successful surgical reconstruction of complicated soft-tissue defects of the head and neck region has been greatly enhanced by free-revascularized tissue transfers. The scapular free flap has become a favored reconstructive option in our department and has been reported previously for one-stage mandibular reconstruction. This flap can also be transferred as a cutaneous free flap. We present our clinical experience with the fasciocutaneous scapular free flap and review the anatomy, surgical technique, and utility of this versatile flap.

Bone scanning, performed within 1 week postoperatively, is valuable in predicting the survival of revascularized composite flap grafts. Conventional planar scintigraphy is limited by a two-dimensional representation of three-dimensional structures. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a technique in which a gamma camera rotates around the patient, acquires multiple projections, and with the aid of a computer, reconstructs three-dimensional representations. We wished to evaluate the potential advantages of SPECT in the assessment of mandibular graft viability and to compare it with planar scanning. These noninvasive methods of assessing the vascular supply are critical to patient management in the early postoperative period because the presence of or inability to exclude vascular compromise commands surgical exploration of the anastomosis for graft salvage. Fifteen patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction with revascularized free grafts were studied by both planar and SPECT scintigraphy. Long-term follow-up data were correlated with the outcome predicted by the scanning.

We attempted to demonstrate that the totally amputated rabbit auricle could survive on nutrient flow provided through arterialization of the venous system. It has been demonstrated by Mundy and Panje that a free flap placed on a large recipient bed and receiving nutrients through retrograde venous flow will survive as frequently as one in which a conventional microvascular anastomosis has been performed. Our groups examined (1) conventional microvascular anastomosis of the amputated appendage to establish survival and demonstrate proficiency with the technique; (2) survival when only venous egress is maintained; and (3) effectiveness of establishing nutrient flow through arterialization of the venous system. Nutrient flow in the first group was through the arterial system. In the second group no nutrient flow was established, but the venous system remained intact. In the last group, nutrient flow existed through retrograde venous profusion. Survival within the groups that underwent reestablishment of nutrient flow through a conventional reanastomosis or through arterialization of the venous system was not significantly different. There were no surviving segments if nutrient flow was not reestablished, but venous channels remained intact. It was shown that nutrient flow to a free-standing appendage can be established through retrograde venous profusion, and that maintenance of venous drainage alone is not sufficient for survival when a limited base exists. We suggest that arterialization of the venous system is a viable means of reestablishing nutrient flow to the amputated auricle.

Seventeen patients, 4 of whom had osteoradionecrosis, underwent mandibular reconstruction with a revascularized scapular osteocutaneous flap. The mean length of revascularized scapular bone used was 10.4 cm. Nine of the 17 flaps healed uneventfully; however, previously irradiated patients had a higher incidence of postoperative complications. There was only 1 flap failure. We found the free revascularized scapular osteocutaneous flap to be reliable and ideal for the reconstruction of large composite defects of the oral cavity.

The disadvantage of traditional methods for reconstruction of soft-tissue deficits providing symmetric restoration of head and neck contour are the need for multiple stages in the case of pedicle flaps and the unpredictable atrophy and resorption in the case of free nonvascularized dermis-fat grafts. In addition, unsightly donor defects may be an added disadvantage. A major use of free revascularized grafts and flaps is in the reconstruction of contour defects of the head and neck resulting from loss of soft tissue and bone. Soft-tissue augmentation can be achieved by the transfer of free cutaneous or musculocutaneous flaps. The ideal donor sites for such flaps are in areas of the body where large direct cutaneous or musculocutaneous flaps can be harvested with relatively long vascular pedicles, and where minimum morbidity and secondary deformity will occur from harvesting the flap. Microvascular flaps allow for tissue augmentation of the head and neck with restoration of symmetry without the problem of subsequent atrophy and resorption.

Recurrent pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland warrant consideration because of the potential for facial nerve injury occurring with surgical treatment and the risk of malignant conversion. Forty-eight cases of recurrent pleomorphic adenoma treated at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, between 1935 and 1975 were retrospectively analyzed. The results of surgical procedures for recurrence were determined with respect to tumor control and resultant facial nerve function. Malignant conversion developed in three (6%) of 48 cases. The results of this study underscore the importance of adequate surgical excision of initial recurrences as well as primary tumors to prevent tumor recidivism. Tumor control rates and facial nerve preservation are enhanced with formal parotidectomy for recurrent tumor when feasible. In cases in which facial nerve identification and dissection is not possible, en bloc total parotidectomy offers effective, though not absolute, control of extensive recurrence.

Intra-arterial chemotherapy for the treatment of localized malignant neoplasms in the head and neck is an appealing approach for several reasons. Perhaps the most important is the possibility of obtaining a regional advantage such that an increased drug concentration is delivered systemically. The patient may, therefore, be spared systemic toxicity. We report our accumulated experience using a totally implantable infusion pump in 37 patients. A total of 42 pumps were implanted: 28 single-catheter pumps and 14 dual-catheter pumps. Radionuclide imaging demonstrated total perfusion of the tumor in all patients. A combination of cisplatin (50 to 100 mg/m2) and floxuridine (0.01 to 0.045 mg/kg/d) was used to treat 26 patients. For these heavily pretreated patients, we observed a 43% complete and partial response rate in the subgroup of patients with squamous cell carcinoma. These results are comparable with those reported for these drugs administered systemically and for other drug combinations tested in the treatment of recurrence disease.

Developments in microvascular surgery have overcome much of the problem of inadequate vascularity encountered by more conventional methods of mandibular reconstruction. The advantage of the osteocutaneous scapular flap compared with earlier described revascularized bone grafts or composite flaps is its greater versatility in reconstruction of soft-tissue defects of the oral cavity concomitant with mandibular reconstruction. This is primarily related to the independent vascular pedicles of the cutaneous and osseous portions of the flap. This flap is our preferred method of reconstructing mandibular defects.