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Restoration of the Temporal Hairline after Skin Cancer Resection
Sabine Lovell, MD; A. Lawrence Cervino, MD
Summa Health System
2020-02-08
Presenter: Sabine Lovell, MD
Affidavit:
I certify that the resident's work is original and has not been published in any scientific journal or previously presented at a major meeting.
Director Name: Douglas Wagner, MD
Author Category: Fellow Plastic Surgery
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: General Reconstruction
Introduction: Nonmelanoma skin cancer is the most common malignancy diagnosed in the United States. The incidence of basal and squamous cell carcinoma is increasing and many of these cancers are along the temporal hairline due to sun exposure. With a growing number of women and overall patients under the age of forty being diagnosed with skin cancers, it is of great importance to consider the social and emotional consequences of visible alopecia in the temporal region. The purpose of this study is to present techniques on restoration of the temporal hairline after tumor excision.
Methods: Some techniques used to restore the temporal hairline include split and full thickness skin grafts, rotation, transposition and rhomboid flaps. A particularly useful flap we employ is based on the posterior branches of the superficial temporal artery, the patency of which is verified with intra-operative continuous wave Doppler. It is a posterior to anterior V-Y island advancement flap.
Results: We have had favorable results with temporal hairline restoration after skin cancer resection. Patients have been happy with the aesthetic result. In part due to the robust blood supply of the scalp we have had no appreciable instances of dehiscence, infection or flap failure.
Conclusions: Among other common techniques, a V-Y posterior to anterior island advancement flap centered on the posterior branches of the superficial temporal artery is a useful technique to consider when recreating the hairline after tumor excision.
