Preoperative planning for advanced modelling of anterolateral thigh flaps in the treatment of severe haemifacial atrophy in Parry–Romberg and Goldenhar syndrome

BACKGROUND: Technological advancement in medical science is constantly innovating solutions to the varied and complex challenges of surgery. Digital diagnostics and prospective microsurgery are rapidly evolving. Three-dimensional (3-D) imagery and computed tomography (CT) scanning can determine accurate dimensions of many defects. Subsequently, a thorough understanding of micro-vasculature and application of microsurgical techniques allows modelling of flaps to obtain an accurate transplant resulting in an aesthetic outcome following the very first operation. METHODS: Two patients with Parry–Romberg syndrome and one patient with haemifacial microsomia (Goldenhar syndrome) were treated with anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps to restore facial volume, contour, and symmetry. In each case, a different approach in planning and performing the intervention was applied: The patient in the first case had a full-thickness ALT flap transplant with significant overcorrection. The patient in the second case had reconstruction with a partially thinned ALT flap guided by a clinically formed template made per manual measurements. The patient in the third case had reconstruction with a precise primary thinned ALT flap with a template made according to data obtained from superimposed 3-D photographs and CT scans. RESULTS: All flaps survived. In cases 1 and 2, a corrective intervention was required to achieve acceptable facial symmetry. In case 3, a very good aesthetic result was achieved immediately after the first operation. CONCLUSIONS: Digital methods of 3-D analysis offer great opportunities in creating a precise operative plan, and modern surgical techniques make it feasible to implement it intra-operatively. Overall, these methods shortened the rehabilitation time by avoiding further revision surgeries.