The Efficacy of Local Flaps in the Treatment of Traumatic Scalp Defects

Background Scalp defects represent a therapeutic challenge. The aim of this study is to present our experience with local and regional flaps in the treatment of trauma-induced scalp defects. Furthermore, a comparison with other surgical techniques was performed. Methods A retrospective evaluation of patient records was performed. Only patients who underwent surgery using local flaps between January 2010 and September 2020 due to traumatic scalp defects were included in the study. Results In all, 10 cases were identified (3 females, 7 males, average age at surgery of 46.5 years [range: 18–82 years]). Six patients underwent surgery due to tissue defects and four due to scar keloids. Three patients experienced minor postoperative complications, one of which required additional surgery. The mean defect size was 35.75 cm2 (range: 4–79 cm2) among the four patients where the defect size could be determined retrospectively. The mean inpatient follow-up was 12.4 days (range: 2–34 days). Conclusions Local flaps can be widely used. In carefully selected cases, they have the fewest disadvantages of all surgical techniques. In our experience, large angiosomes of the main scalp arteries allow the treatment of defects larger than 30 cm2 with local flaps. Our experience also suggests that the dimensions of flap length to flap width can exceed a ratio of 2:1 in the scalp.

Reconstruction of Complex Chest Wall Defect with Perforator Based Abdominal Flap - A Case Report

Reconstruction of chest wall defect is a complex procedure requiring acute understanding of the vascularity of local flaps used for reconstruction of the defect.

Local Flaps and Grafts

Reconstruction of facial defects is a complex process that when done well can have a significant positive impact on patients’ quality of life. While the variety of specific facial defects and their causes seems endless, it is important to understand that several core tenets in local reconstruction such as facial anatomy and aesthetics, appropriate patient selection, as well as surgical technique can aid in successful repair in most cases. This review contains 17 figures, 1 table and 28 references Key words: Local flap; skin grafts; facial reconstruction; skin cancer

Skin flaps

Flaps can reconstruct defects of the integument, resurface mucosal defects, as well as contribute to contour. They are used where grafting is not feasible because of the nature of the defect and/or where the aims of reconstruction would be better served by vascularized tissue with both cutaneous and subcutaneous components. A skin flap can also be combined with fascia, muscle, or bone to reconstruct a complex or composite defect, and to provide tissue to restore function. Flaps may be classified according to the origin of the flap: local skin flaps are raised from tissue adjacent to the defect (usually deriving their blood supply from the subcutaneous tissue and subdermal plexus), and distant flaps are raised on dedicated vascular pedicles from a non-contiguous region. A distant flap may be moved to the defect maintaining the continuity of the pedicle (a ‘regional’ or ‘pedicled’ flap) or as a free flap, where the flap is elevated from its remote donor site and the pedicle is divided to allow the flap to be transported ‘free’ to the defect and then the vascular continuity is re-established by anastomosis to a recipient vessel in the defect. This chapter focuses on local flaps.