The results of Burow's graft based on cosmetic units of the face

Background: Burow's graft is a useful full-thickness skin graft that employs the adjacent lax skin as a donor site and this is especially suitable for the facial region. When reconstructing a facial cutaneous surgical defect, we have to consider the facial cosmetic unit together with various other factors. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of using a Burow's graft by dermatologists and the cosmetic outcomes of Burow's graft for reconstructing facial defects, based on different facial cosmetic units. Methods: From August 2005 to February 2007, 26 patients were treated with the Burow's graft technique for the reconstruction of facial cutaneous defects following Mohs micrographic surgery. According to the facial cosmetic unit, we divided the face into the forehead, periorbital area, nose, cheek and chin, and we redistributed the cases by the cosmetic units. The post-operative result of each case was rated with using serial clinical photographs that were taken at 1, 6 and 12 months, and the patient's charts were reviewed by two independent physicians. Results: The cosmetic results of facial reconstructions by using Burow's graft were satisfactory, regardless of the cosmetic unit. 21 cases out of the 26 cases (81%) showed good to excellent results after 6 months. The early cosmetic consequence of the periorbital region was better than those of the other facial cosmetic units. No side effects were reported other than a trapdoor deformity in three cases. Conclusion: Burow's graft can be a good choice for reconstruction of facial cutaneous defects after skin cancer surgery in all the facial cosmetic units. (Korean J Dermatol 2008;46(10):1328-1336).