Technical and anatomical considerations of face harvest in face transplantation.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Total face transplantation may become a reconstructive option in the treatment of patients with acquired facial deformity. Here, 2 face-harvesting techniques are presented in a fresh human cadaver model. In technique 1, the skin and soft tissue of the face is harvested by dissecting in a subgaleal, sub-SMAS, subplatysmal plane. In technique 2, the entire soft tissue and the bony structures of the midface are harvested by dissecting in a subperiosteal plane and performing a Le Fort III osteotomy. Each face was harvested successfully as a bipedicled flap based on the external carotid arteries, the external jugular veins, and the facial veins. Each of these 2 techniques is a theoretically viable approach to face harvest for composite allograft transplantation. These techniques represent the 2 extremes of which tissues can be harvested while maintaining vascular integrity. Each will address different reconstructive needs.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Baccarani, A; Follmar, KE; Baumeister, SP; Marcus, JR; Erdmann, D; Levin, LS

Published Date

  • November 2006

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 57 / 5

Start / End Page

  • 483 - 488

PubMed ID

  • 17060726

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0148-7043

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1097/01.sap.0000227486.28556.3e

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States