The platysma myocutaneous flap (PMF) was first used for intraoral reconstruction in 1978 by Futrell (Futrell et al., 1978) [1]. A platysma myocutaneous flap is a versatile, easy-to-perform, one-stage procedure, and the outcome is best in adequately selected patients, with minimum donor site morbidity. It is large enough to close most head and neck ablative skin or mucosal defects up to 70cm2 an...

BACKGROUND Platysma bands are one of the first signs of aging of the neck. Current theories suggest that these bands develop because of skin sagging followed by loss of muscle tone. Treatment strategies therefore aim to tighten skin and muscle. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate that platysma bands are caused by muscular activity during the aging process and are not secondary to sk...

OBJECTIVE To delineate the superior (facial) extent of the platysma muscle. METHODS A total of 142 facial halves were examined from 71 consecutive deep-plane rhytidectomies performed over a period of 3 months. The platysma muscle was identified and isolated during the procedure. The superior extent of the platysma was measured along the line created by the angle of the mandible to the malar e...

INTRODUCTION Severe cervical contracture after burns causes obvious impairment of neck movement and the aesthetic silhouette. Although various surgical techniques for treatment have been described, there is not a definitive strategy to guide treatment. Over the past 6 years, we have been utilizing a region-oriented and staged treatment strategy to guide reconstruction of severe cervical contrac...

INTRODUCTION Noma, aptly named the 'face of poverty', is a scourge with a mortality rate of up to 90% that affects some 140,000 people each year, predominantly children in the sub-Saharan 'noma belt'. Survivors of the acute attack suffer severe facial disfigurement from loss of facial tissue and scarring. Surgical reconstruction of noma defects is a major challenge, especially in Africa, where ...