Clinical efficacy of pre-expanded deltopectoral flap on repairing post-burn faciocervical scars

Objective To explore the method of pre-expanded deltopectoral flap for repairing post-burn faciocervical scars. Methods Anterior axillary incisions were made and appropriate expanders were implanted above anterior chest wall at the first stage. After a 4-6 months’ expanding, the flaps based on perforating branches of the internal mammary artery, branches from the thoracoacromial area, or perforating branches from deltoid muscle, were designed and raised according to scars and dominant vessels. The donor sites were closed at same time without skin graft. Results 43 patients with 51 flaps were operated for reconstruction of post-burn faciocervical scars. All flaps and donor sites survived well. Conclusions Pre-expanded deltopectoral flap is an ideal donor site for repairing post-burn faciocervical scars. Key words: Pre-expanded flap; Deltopectoral flap; Scar