Prelaminated free flap reconstruction of complex central facial defects

This article is a review of five patients who underwent reconstruction of n asal and paranasal facial defects with prelaminated forearm free flaps. The defects resulted from thermal injury, gunshot wound, excision of tumor, an d arteriovenous malformation (n = 2). The forearm flaps were based on the r adial artery (n = 4) and ulnar artery (n = 1) and were prelaminated with gr afts of skin and cartilage. All flaps were successfully transferred to the face, but revisions were needed to separate the subunits and improve appear ance. A prelaminated free flap should be considered for a patient requiring reconstruction of a complex central facial defect.