Korean J Dermatol.  2002 Aug;40(8):962-967.

Reconstruction of Large Defects of the Face Utilizing Purse-String Suture

• Oh CK
• Jang BS
• Kim MB
• Kwon KS

Abstract

Large surgical defects of the face can often be difficult to repair. And so, extensive adjacent tissue transfer may be necessary and may result in significant scars and possible flap compromise. Often there may be less donor tissue available than is necessary to achieve closure. Four cases of malignant tumors on the face were removed by Mohs micrographic surgery, followed by reconstruction of large defects utilizing a purse-string suture and a full-thickness graft. This method enabled dermatologist to reconstruct large surgical defects of the face with a relatively small full-thickness graft. In our cases, there were no significant complications and the results were cosmetically acceptable.

Keyword

Purse-string suture; Reconstruction; Face

MeSH Terms

Cicatrix
Humans
Mohs Surgery
Sutures*
Tissue Donors
Transplants