[Interchange of facial scar flap with upper arm subdermal vascular network skin flap to improve facial appearance].

Objective: To evaluate the result of subdermal vascular network skin flap raised from the upper arm to interchange with a facial skin flap carrying a scar resulted from previous burn.

Methods: A transit flap was designed in the anterior medial aspect of the upper arm according to the reverse design method. The subdermal vascular network flap in the upper arm with length-width ratio less than 1.5:1 was raised with the pedicle located outside of the intermuscular septum of musculus biceps/triceps brachialis. The length-width ratio of the facial scar flap should be less than 1.2:1. The two flaps were cross-grafted to repair the facial wound left by raising the scar flap. The pedicles of the flaps were divided on 14 approximately 15 post-operative days (PODs).

Results: The two flaps survived with satisfactory appearance in 9 patients with this method.

Conclusion: Interchange of facial scar flap with subdermal vascular network skin flap from the upper arms could be a new, reliable and effective method for the facial plastic surgery.