Treatment of severe hemifacial atrophy with dorsal thoracic adipofascial free flap and concurrent lipoinjection

Abstract

Background: Parry-Romberg syndrome is an infrequent, acquired disorder characterized by progressive facial atrophy of the skin and soft tissue of the face and, in some cases, results in atrophy of muscles, cartilage, and the underlying bony structures. We investigated dorsal thoracic adipofascial free flap and concurrent lipoinjection as a reconstructive option for Parry-Romberg syndrome.

Methods: Thirteen patients with hemifacial atrophy caused by Parry-Romberg syndrome underwent surgical correction after their deformitiesreached a stable stage. All patients were classified as having severe atrophy; they had either atrophy of the skin and subcutaneous tissues observable in all 3 sensory branches of the trigeminal nerve or bone involvement. In all cases, we applied dorsal thoracic adipofascial free flap and concurrent lipoinjection followed by secondary revision with debulking or lipoinjection.

Results: The adipofascial flaps survived after the initial operation in all 13 patients. After the second-stage operation, 11 of 13 patients had achieved a natural appearance without any sagging or insufficient filling in the upper face.

Conclusions: For patients with severe hemifacial atrophy with little or no bone involvement, dorsal thoracic adipofascial free flap and concurrent lipoinjection was a feasible and reliable reconstructive option.