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CC BY-NC 4.0 · Arch Plast Surg 2018; 45(03): 259-265
DOI: 10.5999/aps.2017.01277
Original Article

Evaluation of the donor site after the median forehead flap

June Seok Choi
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
,
Yong Chan Bae
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea
,
Soo Bong Nam
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
,
Seong Hwan Bae
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
,
Geon Woo Kim
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
› Author AffiliationsThis work was supported by a 2-year research grant from Pusan National University.
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Background Forehead flaps are useful for facial reconstruction. Studies of these flaps have mostly focused on the results of the reconstruction. However, due to the scarring and changes on the forehead caused by the median forehead flap (MFF), surgeons may be reluctant to perform this flap. Research into the donor site is needed for practical purposes.

Methods We examined 42 patients who underwent an MFF at Pusan National University Hospital from 1996 to 2016. Based on a retrospective chart review, we examined the occurrence of complications. We also evaluated scars on the forehead using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and assessed changes in the eyebrow position of 22 patients.

Results No complications occurred in the 42 patients. The mean VSS score of the 22 patients was 2.8±0.79. The ratio of the height of the eyebrow on each side to the distance between the medial canthi increased postoperatively, meaning that both the left and right brows were elevated slightly (P=0.026 and P=0.014). However, the symmetry between the left and right sides did not change (P=0.979). The ratio of the interbrow distance to the distance between the medial canthi decreased slightly, meaning that the interbrow distance narrowed mildly (P<0.001). Moreover, there were no noticeable changes in the brow position as seen in a photo overlay.

Conclusions There were no notable complications in the forehead. Forehead scarring was acceptable. No change in brow symmetry was observed via photographic measurements and a photo overlay. Therefore, we propose that the MFF is a useful choice for minimizing scarring or deformation of the donor site.

Keywords

Forehead - Surgical flaps - Cicatrix - Eyebrows


Publication History

Received: 08 August 2017

Accepted: 05 April 2018

Article published online:
03 April 2022

© 2018. The Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, permitting unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

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