J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2021; 82(06): 689-694
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1715560
Original Article

Extended Scalp Flaps for Extensive Soft Tissue Scalp Defects as a Day Surgery Procedure Under Local Anesthetic: A Single Centre Experience

Marco Malahias
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
,
2   Department of Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
,
Omer Zubair
2   Department of Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
,
Natasha Harper
3   Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
,
Haytham Al-Rawi
3   Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
,
Haitham Khalil
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Background Cutaneous malignancies are on the rise, associated with an increased number in scalp cancers that require wide local excision (WLE) to ensure clearance; the inelastic nature of the scalp poses a particular challenge when dealing with such large defects.

Case presentation A series of 68 cases with large scalp defects following WLE for the clearance of squamous cell carcinoma, atypical fibroxanthoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, and melanoma skin cancers are presented. These cases were treated in one center under local anesthesia and underwent extended scalp flaps to close the resulting defect primarily without the use of skin grafts for the flap donor site on the scalp.

Conclusion Extended scalp flap is a safe and reproducible solution for extensive scalp defects, which results in quicker wound healing with cosmetically superior results, and can be performed safely and comfortably under local anesthesia in the day case setting.



Publication History

Received: 04 December 2019

Accepted: 22 June 2020

Article published online:
04 February 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 
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