OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and efficiency of forehead flap in reconstruction of maxillofacial region defects.
STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study.
PLACE AND DURATION: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery King Edward Medical
University/Mayo hospital Lahore, from November 2009 to June2012.
METHODOLOGY: This study was carried out on 30 (Thirty) consecutive patients, of either sex,
who required soft tissue reconstruction of maxillofacial region including oral cavity defects due
to trauma, infection or after tumor ablative surgery. Follow up was done for four months and on
every follow up visit, patients were questioned about the degree of satisfaction, with mouth
opening and donor site aesthetics. Cosmetic deformity judged subjectively.
RESULTS: The axial pattern fascio-cutaneous flap, for the reconstruction of maxillofacial region
with oral cavity defect, performed in 30 patients. Success rate of the flap was 100%, with only
partial necrosis of the flap in 1 case. Subjective assessment of the donor site however showed
suboptimal results with 30% (n-9) patients moderately satisfied and 20% patients (n-6) were unsatisfied.
CONCLUSION: Forehead flap is a reliable technique for reconstruction of maxillofacial region
defects.
Key words: Superficial Temporal Artery, Forehead Flap, Pedicle, Local Flaps.
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