Vascularized parascapular fat flap reconstruction effective after parotidectomy, Finds study
Researchers have found in a new study that vascularized parascapular fat flap reconstruction of parotidectomy contour defects has shown satisfactory cosmetic outcomes.
The study has been published in American Journal of Otolaryngology
Parotidectomy is a common treatment for benign or malignant tumors of the parotid gland and for aggressive cutaneous facial tumors. Ablation of the gland with or without adjacent tissues may lead to poor facial contour at the angle of the mandible, at the cheek, zygoma, and temporal region.
Vascularized parascapular fat flap is a cosmetically reliable and minimally morbid reconstructive method for restoring parotidectomy contour volume when microvascular expertise and familiarity of parascapular flaps are readily available.
The contour defect resulting after parotidectomy can be cosmetically unappealing. Multiple reconstructive efforts have been reported to mitigate this problem.
Hence, Jake J.Lee and associates from the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA conducted the present study where the authors described a novel technique of vascularized parascapular fat reconstruction based on the circumflex scapular vessels and evaluate its outcomes.
The researchers included a total of eight patients, out of which three were females. Consecutive patients who underwent parotidectomy with or without additional resections and vascularized parascapular fat flap reconstruction recently were included in the study sample. Demographic, morphologic, intraoperative, and postoperative data were also assessed.
Median cut-to-close time was 247 (range 209–298) minutes, including tumor ablation.
The study revealed the following key findings-
a. None of the patients had any wound complications, and all except one was discharged on postoperative day 1.
b. Flap monitoring was not performed.
c. None reported any significant donor site morbidity except scar formation.
d. At last follow up, all patients reported satisfactory facial contour.
Therefore, vascularized parascapular fat flap reconstruction of parotidectomy contour defects has satisfactory cosmetic outcomes with minimal morbidity and short hospitalization courses, the authors concluded.
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