Reconstruction of the eyelids and nose after a burn injury using a radial forearm flap.

A 50-year-old woman suffered deep burns to the face, neck, chest, back and extremities. Total reconstruction of the eyelids and nose was undertaken nine months after injury. A forearm flap was utilized for resurfacing and was followed by debulking, costal cartilage grafting, and reconstruction of the eyebrows. The thinness and adaptability of the forearm flap allowed for exact reconstruction of the eyelids and nose. The forearm flap imparted equal colour and texture to the area that could not be covered with a flu mask. The flu mask may be used to diminish the strangeness of the reconstructed face. This reconstruction has improved the patient's quality of life immediately. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd for ISBI.