Flap surgery
What are flaps ?
Flap surgery involves transporting healthy, live tissue from one location of the body to another - often to areas that have lost skin, fat, muscle movement, and/or skeletal support. There are several different types of flap surgery methods that may be utilized, depending upon the location of the flap and the structures that need to be repaired.
The types of flaps and their names include the following:
- Local flap - is located next to the wound; the skin remains attached at one end in order that the blood supply is left intact. Eg : First dorsal metacarpal artery flap, V-Y advancement flap.
- Age. Typically, younger persons experience quicker and more efficient nerve regrowth, which is crucial to regaining movement and strength
- Regional flap - uses a section of tissue that is attached by a specific blood vessel from a nearby part of the body . Eg : Cross finger flap, Neurovascular island flap ( Littler’s flap), Radial artery forearm flap, Ulnar Artery forearm flap, Reverse Posterior Interosseous Artery flap
- Distant Flap : Uses a section of tissue that is attached by a specific blood vessel from a distant part of body . Eg : Groin flap, Delto pectoral flap.
- Bone/soft tissue flap - this type of flap is often used when bone and the overlying skin are transported to a new location.
- Musculocutaneous flap (muscle and skin flap) - this type of flap is often used when the area to be covered needs more bulk and an increased blood supply. Eg : Latissimus dorsi flap.
- Microvascular free flap - involves detaching and reattaching skin and blood vessels from one site of the body to another site. Microsurgery is used to attach the blood vessels. Eg : Antero Lateral thigh Flap ( ALT), Latissimus Dorsi flap, Gracilis flap, Lateral arm flap .
