Supraclavicular Flaps for Face Reconstruction with Reduced Donor Site Morbidity and Without the Need for Microsurgery

Abstract

Background: Facial reconstructive surgery is used to restore facial structure and functions as close to normal as possible. It is challenging to satisfy the patients as the facial anatomy reconstruction is very difficult. Objective: To determine the frequency of post-treatment complications in supraclavicular flaps for face reconstruction. Methodology: This descriptive case series study was conducted in department of Burns and Plastic Surgery Center, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar from July 03, 2024 to January 03, 2025. According to WHO calculator 1.1, total 110 male and female patients of age between 30 and 60, who gave informed consent were included in the study. Those patients who had scar/previous surgery in the area of supraclavicular artery flap and patients requiring radical neck dissection on the side of the flap were excluded from the study. The study was conducted after approval of the research project from ethical board. Result: One hundred-ten patients underwent supraclavicular flap reconstruction of a head and neck defect. The average age was 44.89 years (range, 30–60 years). After average hospital stay of 5.25 days (minimum 3 days, maximum 7 days), 30 patients developed wound dehiscence, 10 patients developed Transitory venous insufficiency, 7 patients developed contractures and 7 patients developed complete flap necrosis. There was significant association of gender, cause of injury and age with wound complications (p<0.05) while defect location showed non-significant association with won complications (p=0.582). Conclusion: The cause of injury was linked to a higher likelihood of wound dehiscence, and following the repair of cutaneous defects, there were no recipient surgical site infections. Patients who experienced wound difficulties were more likely to develop fistulas and stay in the hospital longer after surgery, as was to be predicted.