Trilobed skin flap on the face: For reconstruction of full-thickness or commissural defects

Background. Although many local skin flaps have been described for reconstruction of defects on the face, there are still some difficulties in reconstruction of full-thickness defects of alar and ear region and commissural defects in periorbital and perioral region. Objective. A trilobed skin flap can offer single-stage reconstruction of difficult full-thickness or commissural defects. We performed trilobed skin flaps in reconstruction of the defects on the face. The design of the flap and outcomes of the procedures are presented. Methods. Twelve patients with skin cancer on the face were operated under general or local anesthesia. After tumor resection, defects were closed with a trilobed skin flap. Patients were followed-up for a minimum 6 months. Results. There was no early or late complication in all patients. Oral competence was achieved in reconstruction of the oral commissure. A new lateral canthus with angles as in the original one was created. Alar and ear reconstructions were performed at one session using the same flap without a graft. The outcome was satisfactory. Conclusion. Because it is easy to obtain a trilobed skin flap, it can be used for reconstruction of canthal, oral, and commissural defects, and the new canthus, mouth, and commissures with angles as in the original ones can be created. In addition, the flap can be used for reconstruction of full-thickness defects in the alar region and the ear.