Correction of Neck Scar Retraction by Dermofat Graft

Lee, June Hyuk; Yang, Ho Jik

Abstract

Untill now, dermofat graft has usually been used for repair or supplement of soft tissue for cosmetic cause. Generally, scar in the center portion of neck, left after tracheostomy, may cause skin traction and discomfort during swallowing due to adhesion in trachea or cricoid cartilage in high rates. In these cases, usual scar revision techniques maybe cannot correct the skin retraction and swallowing discomfort. We, therefore, solved the problems of skin traction and discomfort during swallowing, by first removing the preexisting scar in the center portion of neck, then, dissecting the surroundings after performing autodermofat graft. From September 2002 to September 2003, we performed autodermofat graft in 6 cases having skin traction and discomfort during swallowing. In all cases, symptoms were resolved, and adverse effects of infection, hematoma and calcifications did not occur. In the results of 10 months follow-up, there were no recurrence and cosmetic and functional results were acceptable.