Epidermal Overgrafting Improves Coloration in Remote Flaps and Grafts Applied to the Face for Reconstruction

Abstract

This study is the first to demonstrate the feasibility of altering the coloration of flaps and grafts applied from remote body sites to the face using epidermal overgrafting from the scalp in Caucasian patients. Significant improvement in coloration in the treated areas compared with the adjacent facial skin has been demonstrated by this technique. The authors believe that epidermal overgrafting is a useful adjunct for enhancing color aesthetics in facial reconstruction and may well lower the threshold for use of remote flaps and grafts previously ignored because of poor color match.