Restoration of facial contour in Romberg's disease and hemifacial microsomia: experience with 118 cases

Abstract

The experience with free flaps and conventional reconstructive procedures for 118 patients with Rombergapos;s disease and hemifacial microsomia over a 10-year period is presented. The groin free flap was used most frequently for patients with Rombergapos;s disease, whereas the scapular free flap was used for patients with hemifacial microsomia. The rectus abdominis or the latissimus dorsi free flap was chosen only when additional volume was required. To achieve better contour, secondary procedures, such as defatting the flap, pedicled temporal fascial flaps, cartilage and bone grafts, orthognathic surgery, and bone distraction were performed in severe cases. For patients with Rombergapos;s disease, excellent results were achieved in 35% (n = 28) of mild cases, in 72% (n = 27) out of 38 moderately and in 41% (n = 5) out of 12 severely affected patients. In hemifacial microsomia group (n = 40) excellent results were obtained in 66% of cases.