The keystone perforator island flap in nasal reconstruction: an alternative reconstructive option for soft tissue defects up to 2 cm. J Craniofac Surg. 2015;26:1374-1377. [PMID: 26080200 DOI: 10.1097/scs.0000000000001746]

The Versatility of Keystone Flaps for Skin Cancer Reconstruction of the Nose

Nasal reconstruction has been a challenging problem for even the most experienced surgeon to provide excellent esthetic and functional outcomes. Although the bilobed flap offers distinct advantages for reconstructing these defects using an adjacent tissue with similar esthetic qualities, this flap has several potential limitations. The authors hypothesized that the conventional keystone flap and its variants provide a versatile and easily reproducible reconstructive option for nasal reconstruction after wide skin cancer excision. The authors retrospectively reviewed 12 consecutive soft tissue reconstruction data using 3 types of keystone flaps between May 2021 and July 2023. The authors reviewed all patients who underwent reconstruction with the keystone flap or its modification to repair cutaneous nasal defects following wide skin cancer excision. The authors reconstructed small- to medium-sized nasal defects ranging from 1×1 to 2.5×2.5 cm2 with a mean size of 1.2×1.1 cm2 using either a conventional keystone flap or its modification, including the Omega variant and rotation Hemi-keystone flap. All patients were satisfied with the esthetic outcomes. Keystone flaps are a versatile option for reconstructing the nose after cancer surgery. This strategy obviates the need for a bilobed flap after cancer removal in the nose.

Outcomes of the Keystone Island Perforator Flap: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

 The Keystone Design Perforator Island Flap (KDPIF), first described by Behan in 2003, has been demonstrated as a versatile, safe, and straightforward reconstructive option for various soft tissue defects. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the indications, variations, and overall complication profile of the keystone flap in reconstructive surgery.

METHODS

 A literature review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines using MeSH term "surgical flaps" with the keyword "keystone flap." Empirical studies with at least 15 patients who underwent keystone flap reconstruction were assessed for quantitative analysis. Outcomes of interest included patient demographics, indications, anatomic location, flap design, and complications.

RESULTS

 Database search produced 135 articles, of which 25 were selected for full-text review. Out of 23 studies selected qualitative analysis and 22 met criteria for quantitative analysis. Overall success rate of this flap was 98%. Wound complications were highest in extremity flaps. Several modifications of this flap were described.

CONCLUSION

 Keystone reconstruction demonstrates excellent success rates and versatility. However, further studies with more standard reporting are needed to determine guidelines for patient specific surgical planning.

Use of Keystone Flaps in Consideration of the Facial Aesthetic Subunit Concept as an Alternative Reconstructive Option for Nasal Defect Coverage

ABSTRACT

Nasal defect coverage has some challenging aspects for plastic surgeons because of the midfacial location of the nose and the relationship between convexities and concavities of nasal subunits. The authors described our experience with performing keystone flap (KF) nasal reconstruction in accordance with the facial aesthetic subunit concept and demonstrated the expanding versatility of KFs in nasal reconstruction. Between January 2017 and February 2020, 15 patients (average age, 72.07 ± 13.00 years, range: 38-88 years) underwent KF reconstruction for nasal defects. We performed KF reconstruction in accordance with the facial aesthetic subunit concept. Data, including the defect causes and locations, defect sizes, flap sites and sizes, types of KFs, flap survival, complications, and follow-up period for each patient were reviewed retrospectively. Cosmetic outcomes were evaluated by independent plastic surgeons and patients through satisfactory postoperative surveys. Sixteen defects occurred in 15 patients. The defect sizes ranged from 0.8 × 1 cm to 2.5 × 3 cm. The flap sizes ranged from 1.5 × 3.5 cm to 4 × 6 cm. All defects were successfully covered with KFs from adjacent subunits. All flaps survived without any postoperative complications. At the mean follow-up period of 8.33 ± 2.92 months, the objective cosmetic outcomes were rated favorably, and the average subjective patient satisfaction score was 7.93 ± 1.28 on a scale of 1 to 10. We suggest that using KF reconstruction in consideration of the facial aesthetic subunit concept can be a promising alternative modality for covering nasal defects with outstanding aesthetic outcomes.

Soft Tissue Trauma to the Nose: Management and Special Considerations

The nose is one of the most common sites of facial injury due to its prominence and anatomical placement. Given its intricate anatomy, function, and high visibility, it also proves to be one of the most complex regions for repair. We provide a review of the management of soft tissue injuries to the nose, including the various reconstructive tools available and adjunctive wound care measures. We also discuss special considerations based on mechanism of injury and treatment of this condition in the pediatric population. The main goals of reconstruction should be to preserve function while achieving optimal cosmetic results in this highly visible region of the face.

Keystone Flap Type IIIB: A New Variation for Coverage of Defects at Joint Regions

Soft tissue defect reconstruction at joint regions is a challenging problem due to the sparse excessive tissue and late complication of constrigent scar formation. Priorly irradiated tissue, often the case in sarcoma patients, is especially problematic. The keystone design perforator island flap is safe and reliable. We now present a new keystone flap design, which is particularly suitable for the reconstruction of large soft tissue defects at joint regions. It provides a cutaneous component without the need for a skin graft and therefore minimizes the risk of contracture. Donor site morbidity is negligible. Furthermore, it offers a favorable aesthetic result compared to other flaps, eg, a muscular flap. We propose a new keystone flap design as an extension of Behan's classification, the Keystone flap type IIIb.

Keystone Flap as a Reconstructive Option for selected areas; A Prospective Study

OBJECTIVE

A very few flaps would be described as versatile as the Keystone Flap. There is an increasing demand for coverage of defects in lower limb due to traumatic defects as well as other parts of the body. Keystone flap is one of its kind, which is simple and easy to perform. It is a safe option for conditions where microsurgery may not be a viable option. The relative simplicity of this flap makes it a to go option at many places.

METHODS

A prospective study was developed from October 2017 to December 2019 at SMS Hospital, Jaipur. We assessed the size of the flap, operation time, average hospital stay and the complications. Perforators over the leg were Doppler marked preoperatively over which the flap was raised.

RESULTS

50 patients were taken into the study. 30 key stone flaps were done to cover lower limb defects, 10 flaps were done for upper limb defects and the remaining 10 were for trunk defects. The average intraoperative time from skin incision to final suture was 50 min (range 20-90 min). The largest defect covered by keystone flap in our series measured 50 × 20 cm and the smallest defect covered was 8 × 4 cm. The average hospital stay was 3 days. We observed partial flap necrosis in 2 cases which required skin grafting. 3 other cases had wound infection leading to wound dehiscence, which required secondary suturing. The overall success rate was 95%.

CONCLUSION

The Keystone flap being a versatile flap with its qualities of replacing "like with like", easy to perform, use of local tissue, good vascularity and a low complication rate makes it an excellent flap for a variety of defects. The KeyStone flap allows reconstruction in a single stage and is a relatively easy and fast technique for the beginner as well as the experienced surgeon. We believe it should be incorporated more into a surgeons practice.

Keystone Flaps: Physiology, Types, and Clinical Applications

The keystone perforator flap (KPF) was first introduced in 2003 by Behan et al for use in reconstruction after skin cancer excision. Since its initial description, KPF use has been expanded to complex defects of various etiologies and disorders throughout the body. At its most basic, the KPF is a perforator-type flap designed with a 1:1 flap-to-defect width ratio. Keystone perforator flaps are specifically raised on pedicles arising from musculocutaneous or fasciocutaneous perforator vessels. Major advantages of the KPF derive from the maintenance of perforator vascular territories, perforosomes, permitting increased flap viability. In turn, this allows for more aggressive undermining in sites away from perforators when greater skin mobilization is necessary. Furthermore, the KPF is relatively easy to perform leading to shorter operative times and no postoperative monitoring period. There are basically 4 different types of keystone flaps in order of increasing undermining and disturbance of underlying fascia. These different classifications of KPFs may be used in different anatomical locations over the entire body based on skin laxity and defect size/depth. Numerous advancements and modifications have been documented adapting the KPF to specific conditions, including myelomeningoceles, and scrotal and lower eyelid defects. The purpose of this article is to provide an organized review of the KPF with emphasis on different classifications, applications, and limitations as well as an overview of the surgical technique. We have additionally included a discussion on KPF physiology and review of current literature.

Keystone design perforator island flap in facial defect reconstruction

Facial defect coverage is a common subject in the field of reconstructive surgery. There are many methods for facial defect reconstruction, and reconstructive surgeons should choose the most appropriate method on a case-by-case basis to achieve both functional and aesthetic improvement. Among various options for facial reconstruction, the local flap technique is considered the best reconstructive modality to provide good tissue matches of color and texture, which is consistent with the ideal goal of reconstruction (replacement of like-with-like). Keystone design perforator island flap (KDPIF), devised by Behan in 2003, has been applied to various fields of reconstructive surgery in the past decade due to its design simplicity, robust vascular supply, and reproducibility. Several studies have reported KDPIF reconstruction of facial defects, such as large parotid defects, small-to-moderate nasal defects, and eyelid defects. However, KDPIF has been used relatively less in facial defects than in other body regions, such as the trunk and extremities. The purpose of this review is to provide an organized overview of facial KDPIF reconstruction including the classification of KDPIF, modifications, physiology, mechanism of flap movement, consideration of facial relaxed skin tension lines and aesthetics, surgical techniques, clinical applications, and precautions for successful execution of KDPIF reconstruction.

Objective and Patient-reported Assessments of Skin Grafts and Keystone Flaps-A Pilot Retrospective Cohort Study

Background:

The keystone perforator island flap provides a versatile form of reconstruction. Perceived benefits include better donor-recipient color match, less contour defect, and fewer complications. To date, there has been no high-quality evidence comparing keystone flaps to split-thickness skin grafts (SSG) from both a qualitative and quantitative point of view.

Methods:

The Objective and Patient Reported Assessments of Skin grafts versus Keystone flap cohort study compares keystone flaps with SSGs for the reconstruction of skin cancer defects. Patient-reported outcome measures were collected using the EuroQol 5 dimension scale and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) questionnaires. Objective assessments of skin quality were assessed with the Courage and Khazaka system. Cost analysis was also performed.

Results:

Thirty-eight patients were studied: 20 keystone flaps and 18 SSGs. The keystone group had higher EuroQol 5 dimension scale scores (keystone median = 1.0; SSG median = 0.832; P = 0.641) indicating better general quality of life and lower POSAS scores indicating better disease/condition specific quality of life (keystone mean = 27.7; SSG mean = 35.7; P = 0.323). Observer POSAS scores were significantly lower in the keystone group compared with the SSG group (keystone mean = 10.889; SSG mean = 17.313; P < 0.001). Preservation of sensation was significantly better in keystone flaps (P = 0.006). There was an average £158/$207 (15%) saving when performing a keystone flap.

Conclusion:

This pilot study demonstrates a number of possible benefits of keystone flaps over SSGs. The results demonstrate the need for further research comparing these reconstructive options. We propose a prospective, controlled study using the methods developed in this pilot study.

Keystone Flap: Overcoming Paradigms

Background:

The physiology and geometry of the keystone flap (KF) are the main factors that support its development. This study reports our experience using the KF and proposes the concept of pedicular area.

Methods:

A prospective cohort study was conducted from October 2014 to December 2016, in which 112 KF procedures were performed with an average follow-up time of 10 months. The conclusions drawn from clinical observations were compared with the findings of a literature review.

Results:

One hundred twelve flaps were performed in 89 patients (45 men and 44 women) with an average age of 64 years (range, 3–89 years). The flap survival rate was 100%. The term pedicular area (PA) was coined to describe a flap segment that remains attached to its bed without vascular detriment and whose location can be randomly selected. In this study, the PA could be reduced up to a 10%, which means that over 90% of each flap was dissected without any harm.

Conclusions:

The KF is a safe, cost-effective technique with better results when compared with other reconstructive procedures. Although research is still needed to better understand the physiological adaptations of KF, the clinical evidence supports its use in many reconstructive scenarios.

Relaxed skin tension line-oriented keystone-designed perforator island flaps considering the facial aesthetic unit concept for the coverage of small to moderate facial defects

A variety of reconstructive options including skin grafts, loco-regional flaps, and free flaps exist for the coverage of facial defects. Each technique has advantages and disadvantages. In this study, we present our experience with relaxed skin tension line (RSTL)-oriented, keystone-designed perforator island flap (KDPIF) reconstructions, in consideration of the facial aesthetic unit concept for coverage of small to moderate facial defects.Between May 2016 and February 2018, 17 patients (11 men and 6 women), with an average age of 63.53 years (range: 37-83 years) underwent KDPIF reconstructions to cover facial defects. We performed the KDPIF reconstructions in consideration of the RSTLs and facial aesthetic unit concept. We retrospectively reviewed the defect causes, locations, and sizes, and flap sizes, types, and survivals, as well as the complications. Cosmetic outcomes were evaluated using the Harris 4-stage scale from 3 independent plastic surgeons' point of view, and postoperative satisfactory surveys from all patients.All defects were successfully covered with KDPIF. The defect sizes varied from 1.5 × 1.5 cm to 3 × 3.5 cm. The flap sizes varied from 1.5 × 3 cm to 3 × 5.5 cm. All flaps fully survived and there were no postoperative complications. The average subjective patient satisfaction score was 8.29 (range: 7-10) and the objective cosmetic outcomes were favorable (fair, good, or excellent).Considering its simplicity and safety, the KDPIF is a good reconstruction option with few complications and high reproducibility. The RSTL-oriented KDPIF reconstruction is a good reconstructive option for covering small to moderate facial defects with superior aesthetic outcomes.

Changing the Paradigm in Medial Canthal Reconstruction: The Bridge Principle and the Croissant-Like Keystone Island Perforator Flap as An Alternative for Medium Size Soft Tissue Defects in Internal Canthus Reconstruction

INTRODUCTION

Medial canthus is a common area of skin cancer prevalence. Defects in this region represent a challenging reconstructive task. The nasal version of keystone perforator island flap (KPIF) has proven its versatility. The aim of the present study was to expand its utilization in the neighbor medial canthus area. A modified croissant-like KPIF (CKPIF) was used resolving inner convexity-related problems. The presence of procerus in the glabella area, bridging a surface from nasalis up to the frontalis, changed the traditional dissecting flap technique. Thus, the authors introduce the bridge principle, which consists of the indirect transfer of the flap to the defect site through a muscular "bridge" (the procerus). The authors report their experience in medial canthal reconstruction combining a modified KPIF with a new dissecting "principle."

METHODS

From November 2016 to July 2017, a series of patients presenting soft tissue defects of various dimensions in the medial canthus, secondary to tumor extirpation, sustained reconstruction with a CKPIF dissected with the bridge principle.

RESULTS

A total of 15 patients were treated with this new technique. Their mean age was 75.3 years. The mean size of the defect was 2.08 cm (length) × 1.5 cm (width). All flaps survived without any sign of venous congestion. A transient epiphora presented in 4 patients (4/15 or 26.6%), which was subsided 2 months later.

CONCLUSION

A new approach following a novel paradigm was introduced to resolve an old problem. Initial outcomes are encouraging. However, longer series are needed to extract definitive and safer conclusion.

Pacman flap for oncologic reconstruction of soft-tissue defects after tumor resection: A retrospective case series

INTRODUCTION

The Pacman flap is a novel modality for repairing round soft-tissue defects after tumor resection. This modality provides a robust blood supply without microsurgical tissue rearrangement. This article reviews the authors' experience with Pacman flap for reconstruction of round soft-tissue defects. The safety and effectiveness of the Pacman flap are investigated.

METHODS

Here, we describe a method for oncologic reconstruction of round soft-tissue defects with a Pacman flap after tumor resection. Fourteen consecutive patients (6 males and 8 females, median age of 60 years, range, 18-87 years) who received Pacman flaps for oncologic reconstruction during the period from April 2015 to April 2017 were included in the present study.

RESULTS

In total, 15 Pacman flaps (including 1 bilateral Pacman flap) were created to provide coverage after resection of a tumor from the face (n = 11), chest (n = 1), or extremities (n = 2). One patient had twice previously undergone tumor resection. Median defect size was 25.5 × 25 mm (range, 9 × 9-100 × 90 mm). Median flap size was 35 × 27 mm (range, 12 × 10-120 × 110 mm). Median duration of follow-up was 10 months (range, 6-22 months). No local or distal tumor was observed during the follow-up period. All flaps survived without partial or complete necrosis, infection, or other complications. All patients were satisfied with their aesthetic outcomes. A hematoma formed in 1 patient and was successfully treated with debridement.

CONCLUSIONS

The Pacman flap enables the surgeon to achieve tension-free round defect closure after tumor resection, with good functional and aesthetic outcomes. This modality is a reliable and effective reconstructive surgical technique for oncologic reconstruction of round soft-tissue defects.

The Use of Keystone Flaps in Periarticular Wound Closure: A Case Series

The Keystone perforator island flap (Keystone flap), is a Type A fasciocutaneous advancement flap, consisting of two V to Y advancement flaps. Skin cancer excision around joints presents a number of reconstructive challenges. Owing to the mobile nature of joints, the optimal periarticular reconstructive option should possess the ability to provide adequate tissue coverage and withstand regional changes in tensile pressures. We report a single-surgeon series of five cases of periarticular keystone flap between 2014 and 2017. Data were collected from operation notes, clinical photography, histopathology, and outpatient clinic records. The indication for keystone flap was skin cancer in all cases (n = 5). The largest defect size post-excision in was 75 mm × 40 mm × 15 mm. All keystone flaps demonstrate a color and cosmetic appearance comparable to adjacent tissue. There were no major postoperative complications including flap failure or impaired range of joint movement in the follow up period. Superficial wound infection occurred postoperatively in one case. This is the first case series to discuss the use of keystone flaps in periarticular wound closure. Locoregional fasciocutaneous wound coverage offered by keystone flaps may alleviate the risks of graft failure, contour defects, and donor site morbidity associated with alternative reconstructive options, with good functional and cosmetic outcomes. We advocate their use as a robust reconstructive option in periarticular areas.

Modified keystone flap for extremity defects after Mohs surgery

BACKGROUND

When possible, surgery is the treatment of choice for cutaneous carcinomas, as it allows to us perform the anatomopathological study and control the surgical margins. Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) controls 100% of the margins, maintains a larger amount of healthy tissue, and a fewer number of recurrences are seen. Large limb surgical defects after MMS are a challenge. Within the different kind of flaps, the keystone flap, which is a fasciocutaneous island advancement flap, is an option.

METHODS

A descriptive study was carried out on the extremity defects that occurred after MMS, which were reconstructed with the modified keystone type flap, during the years 2013-2014 in our department.

RESULTS

Six patients underwent reconstruction surgery with the modified keystone flap. The tumor types presented by the patients were four squamous cell carcinomas and two basal cell carcinomas. Locations of the repaired defects were three in the leg, two in the thigh, and one in the forearm. The average size of the repaired defects was 3.1 cm. The procedure was well tolerated in all cases. No complications were observed, such as postoperative bleeding, infection, or necrosis, or dehiscence of the suture.

CONCLUSIONS

The modified keystone flap has been very helpful for solving the limb defects of these six patients, although they were not compared with other types of reconstruction.