Soft Tissue Facial Reconstruction

In many ways, the soft tissue reconstruction of patients that have had Mohs micrographic surgical ablation of skin cancers is the very essence of being a plastic surgeon. The opportunity to return to normalcy what would otherwise remain a permanently disfiguring deformity is tremendously gratifying for both the surgeon and the patient.

I am currently able to devote my entire practice to soft tissue facial reconstruction after Mohs resection and am very excited to present this issue of Seminars in Plastic Surgery, which contains articles written by some of the most skilled clinicians in the field. This issue is certainly not of a broad-enough scope to be an inclusive manual or guide for soft tissue facial reconstruction; however, it provides insight into current practices and newer techniques. Drs. Dim-Jamora and Perone present a fascinating historical review of Mohs micrographic surgery and clarify current and expanded indicators for its clinical use.

I am delighted to include two articles from contributors at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. The first covers reconstruction of large lip defects, and the second covers scalp and calvarial reconstruction. Both articles reflect on the tremendous clinical experience in dealing with these difficult “first time has to be right” reconstructions. Articles on the technically demanding reconstruction of the cheek, eyelid, and nose complete the seminars.

I thank the editors of Seminars in Plastic Surgery for the opportunity to participate in this issue and hope readers find it clinically valuable.