Objective: To summarize our experience and principles of application of Burow’s wedge advancement skin flap (BWASF) in reconstruction of facial defects.
Methods: Defects in skin and tissue from a facial tumor and scar excision were repaired by BWASF. An aid incision was undertaken in concert with natural contour lines (nasolabial groove, sulcus alaris, maxillonasal suture, lid-margin, vermilion border, hairline) or skin wrinkles. The incision was concealed as much as possible.
Results: We reviewed 156 cases of use of BWASF (108 monolateral advancement flaps and 48 bilateral advancement flaps). Minimum and maximum areas of the facial defect (in cm) were 1.0 × 2.0 and 3.5 × 6.0, respectively. All flaps survived postoperatively without obvious complications. All patients underwent follow-up for 1–50 months, which showed that the flap matched well with the surrounding skin with regard to color, texture, and contour without tumor recurrence. The incision line was hidden and the scar became smooth and soft. All patients obtained satisfactory functional and esthetic results.
Conclusions: The BWASF requires fewer aid incisions and the flap transitioned naturally and smoothly with satisfactory appearance and cosmetic reconstruction effects in this series of facial defects.
