The Use of Novosorb Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix for Reconstruction in Head and Neck Cancer: A Simple Answer to a Complex Problem

Background:. Skin cancer defects in the head and neck can pose a reconstructive challenge. We aimed to evaluate our experience of Novosorb biodegradable temporizing matrix (BTM) in reconstructing complex defects in the head and neck region. Methods:. Assessment of all patients where BTM was used for...

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Main Authors: Luke Conway, MBChB, MRes, MRCS (Eng), Emma Snashall, MBChB, FRCS (Plast), Parneet Gill, MBChB, MSc, MRCS (Eng), FRCS (Plast), Aenone Harper-Machin, MBChB (Hons), MSc, FRCS (Plast)
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer 2025-04-01
Series:Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open
Online Access:http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006702
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author Luke Conway, MBChB, MRes, MRCS (Eng)
Emma Snashall, MBChB, FRCS (Plast)
Parneet Gill, MBChB, MSc, MRCS (Eng), FRCS (Plast)
Aenone Harper-Machin, MBChB (Hons), MSc, FRCS (Plast)
author_facet Luke Conway, MBChB, MRes, MRCS (Eng)
Emma Snashall, MBChB, FRCS (Plast)
Parneet Gill, MBChB, MSc, MRCS (Eng), FRCS (Plast)
Aenone Harper-Machin, MBChB (Hons), MSc, FRCS (Plast)
author_sort Luke Conway, MBChB, MRes, MRCS (Eng)
collection DOAJ
description Background:. Skin cancer defects in the head and neck can pose a reconstructive challenge. We aimed to evaluate our experience of Novosorb biodegradable temporizing matrix (BTM) in reconstructing complex defects in the head and neck region. Methods:. Assessment of all patients where BTM was used for head and neck skin cancer reconstruction was undertaken at our facility. This included tumor type; defect size; second-stage reconstruction (SSR) method; and complications, including failure. Results:. Fifty-four patients were identified with 63 lesions reconstructed with BTM. The mean age was 79. Histology was squamous/basosquamous carcinoma in 40 cases (63%), basal cell carcinoma in 15 cases (24%), and melanoma in 3 cases (5%). The anatomical region reconstructed was the scalp in 46 cases (73%) and the nose in 13 cases (21%). Mean maximum defect diameter was 67 mm. In 27 cases (43%), a previous wide local excision demonstrated an involved or close (<1 mm) margin. BTM was applied to burred bone in 24 of these cases (89%). SSR occurred via use of split-thickness skin graft (68%), full-thickness skin graft (14%), or via secondary intention (17%). One (1%) patient died before SSR, unrelated to BTM. SSR was carried out at a mean of 51 days. Five areas of 63 (8%) experienced a failure to fully heal, identified as due to recurrent or residual disease, causing wound breakdown. No significant infections were observed. Conclusions:. BTM offers a safe, reliable option for complex head and neck cancer reconstruction, particularly in patients unable to undergo more complex procedures.
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spelling doaj-art-1d5aa5fdc8f64f449c507cedf36234362025-08-20T03:14:27ZengWolters KluwerPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open2169-75742025-04-01134e670210.1097/GOX.0000000000006702202504000-00078The Use of Novosorb Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix for Reconstruction in Head and Neck Cancer: A Simple Answer to a Complex ProblemLuke Conway, MBChB, MRes, MRCS (Eng)0Emma Snashall, MBChB, FRCS (Plast)1Parneet Gill, MBChB, MSc, MRCS (Eng), FRCS (Plast)2Aenone Harper-Machin, MBChB (Hons), MSc, FRCS (Plast)3From the Mersey Regional Burns and Plastic Surgery Centre, Whiston Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom.From the Mersey Regional Burns and Plastic Surgery Centre, Whiston Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom.From the Mersey Regional Burns and Plastic Surgery Centre, Whiston Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom.From the Mersey Regional Burns and Plastic Surgery Centre, Whiston Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom.Background:. Skin cancer defects in the head and neck can pose a reconstructive challenge. We aimed to evaluate our experience of Novosorb biodegradable temporizing matrix (BTM) in reconstructing complex defects in the head and neck region. Methods:. Assessment of all patients where BTM was used for head and neck skin cancer reconstruction was undertaken at our facility. This included tumor type; defect size; second-stage reconstruction (SSR) method; and complications, including failure. Results:. Fifty-four patients were identified with 63 lesions reconstructed with BTM. The mean age was 79. Histology was squamous/basosquamous carcinoma in 40 cases (63%), basal cell carcinoma in 15 cases (24%), and melanoma in 3 cases (5%). The anatomical region reconstructed was the scalp in 46 cases (73%) and the nose in 13 cases (21%). Mean maximum defect diameter was 67 mm. In 27 cases (43%), a previous wide local excision demonstrated an involved or close (<1 mm) margin. BTM was applied to burred bone in 24 of these cases (89%). SSR occurred via use of split-thickness skin graft (68%), full-thickness skin graft (14%), or via secondary intention (17%). One (1%) patient died before SSR, unrelated to BTM. SSR was carried out at a mean of 51 days. Five areas of 63 (8%) experienced a failure to fully heal, identified as due to recurrent or residual disease, causing wound breakdown. No significant infections were observed. Conclusions:. BTM offers a safe, reliable option for complex head and neck cancer reconstruction, particularly in patients unable to undergo more complex procedures.http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006702
spellingShingle Luke Conway, MBChB, MRes, MRCS (Eng)
Emma Snashall, MBChB, FRCS (Plast)
Parneet Gill, MBChB, MSc, MRCS (Eng), FRCS (Plast)
Aenone Harper-Machin, MBChB (Hons), MSc, FRCS (Plast)
The Use of Novosorb Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix for Reconstruction in Head and Neck Cancer: A Simple Answer to a Complex Problem
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open
title The Use of Novosorb Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix for Reconstruction in Head and Neck Cancer: A Simple Answer to a Complex Problem
title_full The Use of Novosorb Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix for Reconstruction in Head and Neck Cancer: A Simple Answer to a Complex Problem
title_fullStr The Use of Novosorb Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix for Reconstruction in Head and Neck Cancer: A Simple Answer to a Complex Problem
title_full_unstemmed The Use of Novosorb Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix for Reconstruction in Head and Neck Cancer: A Simple Answer to a Complex Problem
title_short The Use of Novosorb Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix for Reconstruction in Head and Neck Cancer: A Simple Answer to a Complex Problem
title_sort use of novosorb biodegradable temporizing matrix for reconstruction in head and neck cancer a simple answer to a complex problem
url http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006702
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