Grafts, Flaps, and Microsurgery

Flaps, Experimental and Clinical

Application of Botulinum Toxin Type A in Myocutaneous Flap Expansion

Chenwang D, Shiwei B, Dashan Y, et al (Hebei Med Univ, People’s Republic of China; Beijing Hosp, People’s Republic of China; Plastic Surgery Hosp, People’s Republic of China; et al) Plast Reconstr Surg 124:1450-1457, 2009^§

S.H. Miller, MD, MPH

Evidence Ranking

• A

Expert Rating

• 3

Abstract

Background

Although the use of the expanded myocutaneous flap has many advantages, the time course is prolonged. The net gain in surface area during acute expansion is insufficient. In this study, botulinum toxin type A was applied to shorten the flap expansion period while obtaining an adequate surface area that would meet surgical requirements.