Prefabrication in reconstructive surgery of the maxillofacial region

Introduction. Prefabrication is a method of preliminary preparation of autografts necessary for the tissue composition, suitable for transplantation into the recipient area with the formation of new biological properties of the tissue. We conducted a systematic review of retrospective studies and described variations in the definition of the term “prefabricated” to evaluate the use of prefabricated structures in reconstructive surgery of the head and neck, as well as to clarify the meaning of the term “prefabrication” in modern reconstructive maxillofacial surgery. A computerized search was performed in MEDLINE using PubMed (www.pubmed.org) and in the Scopus database (www.scopus.com) using the following keywords: “prefabricated flaps”, “prefabricated flap”.
Material and methods. Articles were screened, and data on authors, publication dates, areas of application of grafts, flaps used, and plastic surgery options were selected and extracted.
Results. A total of 86 articles out of 93 identified were selected and reviewed. The analysis revealed 24 articles describing options for using prefabrication as a method for modifying complex combined flaps, 6 articles describing prefabrication of soft tissue flaps, 9 cases of using prefabrication in tissue engineering, and 2 experimental techniques using prefabrication in clinical practice with the human body as a bioreactor. In the remaining articles (55%), the term “prefabrication” was used based on its literal meaning.
Conclusion. Tissue prefabrication is an effective technique in reconstructive surgery of the maxillofacial region. However, in most cases, the term “prefabrication” is used in various situations not for its intended purpose.
Keywords: prefabrication, prelamination, prefabricated structures, reconstructive surgery
Conflict of interest. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Funding. The study has not received any funding.