Modified Unilateral Pedicled V-Y Advancement Flap for Scalp Defect Repair

Reconstruction of scalp defects caused by tumor resection or trauma is very challenging. A majority of the surgeons prefer to use local flap rather than skin graft or free flap for scalp defects repair. The aim of this study is to investigate the technique of modified unilateral pedicled V-Y advancement flap for the reconstruction of scalp defect.A retrospective review was performed in a series of 18 patients who had a modified unilateral pedicled V-Y advancement flap to restore scalp defect from May 2013 to January 2017. Their mean age is 58 (24-78) years. These patients suffered from basal cell carcinoma, seborrhoeic keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma, or trauma on the scalp. All of them underwent preoperative Doppler scanning to identify the scalp arteries and then individually designed. The flap size ranged from 33x50mm to 68x105mm. Patients were followed for an average of 12 months postoperatively (ranged from 6 to 37 months). No major complications occurred, only 2 cases had a minor distal epidermal necrosis or obstruction of venous backflow observed for the first 3 days of the surgery, and they both healed well. Modified unilateral pedicled V-Y flap technique with fairly rapid recovery and acceptable reorientation of hair follicles leads to esthetical outcome and patient satisfaction. Most importantly, no tumor recurrence at the original site during the follow-up period was seen.The modified unilateral pedicled V-Y advancement flap is a simple but efficient technique, particularly suitable for the repair of small and medium size scalp defects with advantages including the safety of the procedure and overall esthetic results like hairline preservation and less scarring when compared to other local flap techniques.