Local Flaps
What is a Local Flap?
A local flap is a piece of tissue that borders or is close to a defect in the skin, that can be partially dissected so that it is free to move but still attached to the body. It can then be rotated, advanced or transposed into the skin defect thereby achieving the goal of reconstruction.
As the ‘flap’ of tissue is not detached fully from the body no microsurgery is required, and therefore the complexity and time taken is greatly reduced. The main application of local flaps in practise are the reconstruction of skin defects after cancer resection on the face and scalp. They can also be used to good effect in the upper and lower limbs as well as the trunk and perineum.
They are extremely useful in pressure sore reconstruction. The ability to use a local flap depends on the quality of the surrounding or ‘local’ tissue bordering the defect that is to be reconstructed. Therefore, when the surrounding tissue is damaged due to trauma, or radiotherapy for instance, then a local flap is not an option. If a local flap cannot be used then a free flap is the reconstructive strategy of choice in most situations.
Ear Reconstruction Before and After
Dr Parviz was the Clinical Director for Plastic Surgery at the Royal London Hospital, the UK’s largest trauma centre.
drparvizsadigh@mail.com
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