Repair of cutaneous defects after skin cancer surgery

Limberg Flap for Lateral Midface Reconstruction

Several local skin flaps and tissue rearrangement techniques have been described in the literature, including the rhomboid flap. The Limberg flap is one of the most versatile local flaps that can be used for reconstruction of a wide range of skin defects in different parts of the body. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the safety and applicability of the Limberg flap for reconstruction of skin facial defects, particularly after cutaneous tumor resection. The following article presents a retrospective case series of 8 patients in whom the Limberg flap was used to reconstruct skin defects resulting from malignant tumor resections in the lateral part of the face. No restrictions were collected regarding etiology, location, size, age, sex, or any other patient factors. The recruited patients were treated in the Maxillofacial Surgery Unit of Floraspe Renzetti Hospital of Lanciano and the study was conducted in collaboration with Sapienza University of Rome, from April 2023 to April 2024. All the flaps settled with no complications and all the patients were FOD (free of disease) 6 months after surgery. So, in accordance with the literature, the Limberg flap turns out to be a rapid and reliable option that could be easily applied for small (size around 1-2 cm) and medium-sized (size around 2-4 cm) cutaneous defects of the face even for the oldest and/or emaciated patients.

Plastische Deckung von Weichteildefekten im Gesicht

The difficulties in facial reconstruction derive from the unique character of the face and the availability of local matching tissues. Facial reconstructive surgery must aim at a functionally and aesthetically rehabilitated patient. The performance of facial plastic surgery requires an understanding and the application of many important principles. The aim of this paper is to review the critical factors to be considered in the management of surgical wounds by second-intention healing, primary closure, skin grafting, and repair with local or distant free flaps. The key concepts useful in flap choice and implementation are discussed. In addition, an overview of new developments in tissue engineering and gene therapy as they relate to facial plastic surgery is provided.

Subcutaneous pedicle limberg flap for facial reconstruction

BACKGROUND

A residual dog-ear arising from the traditional Limberg flap transposition sometimes influences the cosmetic outcomes, and the Limberg flap with a subcutaneous pedicle is an innovation applicable to a variety of facial defects and free from the dog-ear.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the outcome of the subcutaneous pedicle Limberg flap for the reconstruction of medium-sized facial skin defects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From August 2002 to June 2004, the subcutaneous pedicle Limberg flap was designed to repair facial skin defects in 17 patients (19 flaps), and the size of the lesions ranged from 2.0 x 1.9 cm to 5.0 x 4.5 cm.

RESULTS

All flaps survived with primary healing postoperatively. The patients were followed up from 1 to 22 months, and functionally and cosmetically satisfactory outcomes were achieved.

CONCLUSIONS

This subcutaneous pedicle Limberg flap provides a competitive repair alternative for the treatment of medium-sized skin defects in the face.