One-Stage Reconstruction of Facial Defects after Tumor Resection with the Integra® System

Background: In 2010 excellent aesthetic results after basal cell carcinoma excision and one-stage coverage with Integra (R) without split thickness skin graft (STSG) were published in a series of 10 Asian patients. Our aim in this study was to verify these results in a series of Caucasian patients and evaluate this procedure as a possible new standard. Patients and Methods: 6 patients with facial basal cell carcinoma were treated by regular excision with 3 mm safety margins and one-stage coverage with Integra (R) without STSG, followed by a clinical evaluation and fotodocumentation. Results: In 3 patients local infection occurred with a complete loss of the Integra (R). 2 out of these 3 patients showed an unaesthetic scar and are considering another surgical approach for correction. The other 3 patients had an uneventful course, unfortunately 2 out of these patients (67%) developed an unaesthetic scar as well and are also considering surgical correction. Conclusion: Because of aesthetically unsatisfactory results and high infection rates we abandoned this procedure after 6 patients only. Our standard remains excision with 3 mm safety margins, histological analysis and one-stage repair with local facial flaps.