Introduction: Platysma myocutaneous flap is thin, pliable and provides a similar color match to the skin of the face. We report the experience with the successful use of the pre-expanded platysma myocutaneous flaps to reconstruct post-burn scar of the lower face. Materials and methods: This flap has been used in 2 patients for reconstruction of post-burn scar of the lower face. Case 1: This patient is a 17-year-old woman with a hypertrophic scar after flame burn of the right mandible region. In the first operation, a 290 ml rectangular expander was inserted under platysma muscle of the supraclaviclar region and a 125 ml rectangular expander was inserted into subcutaneous tissue above platysma muscle of the neck. 3 months after first operation, the scar was excised and the skin defect was covered with a 4 x 12 cm superiorly based expanded platysma myocutaneous flap. The donor site was closed primarily. Case 2 : This patient is a 23-year-old woman with a hypertrophic scar after flame burn of the left mandible and cheek regions. In the first operation, a 290 ml rectangular expander was inserted under platysma muscle of the supraclavicular region and two 125 ml rectangular expanders were inserted into subcutaneous tissue of the subclavicular region. 3 months after first operation, the scar was excised and the skin defect was covered with a 6 x 17 cm superiorly based expanded platysma myocutaneous flap. The donor site was closed primarily. Results: No complications occurred during serial expansion. All flaps survived. Good mandible contours and good color matches were achieved without neck contructure and donor-site morbidity. Conclusions: Platysma myocutaneous flap is useful for reconsrtruction of small defects of neck and lower face. Pre-transfer expansion of a platysma myocutaneous flap allowed us to reconstruct a large post-burn scar of lower face with minimal donor-site morbidity.
View Synopsis (.doc format, 131.0 kb)