Vascular Postoperative Changes After Facial Flap Repairs: An Opportunity for Early Intervention

Dermatol Surg. 2025 Jan 1;51(1):5-10. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000004352. Epub 2024 Jul 23.

Abstract

Background: Flap repair provides unique advantages in facial reconstruction but still carries the potential for undesirable postoperative cosmetic changes.

Objective: The aims of this study were to describe postoperative vascular outcomes of patients undergoing flap repairs after Mohs micrographic surgery on facial tumors and to assess associations of baseline characteristics with outcomes.

Materials and methods: In this study, 7 dermatologists and 1 physician assistant in dermatology assessed preoperative and postoperative photographs of 57 patients who underwent facial Mohs micrographic surgery, evaluating vascular and pigment outcomes and number of telangiectasias.

Results: There was a significant difference in number of telangiectasias according to body location ( p = .002), where the number of telangiectasias was highest for nose surgery.

Conclusion: These data suggest that nasal flap repairs are associated with increased postoperative vascular changes. This highlights an opportunity for improved preoperative patient counseling and possible early laser treatment after nasal Mohs micrographic surgery.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / surgery
  • Facial Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mohs Surgery* / adverse effects
  • Photography
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Skin Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Surgical Flaps*
  • Telangiectasis / surgery