Christopher J Miller1. 1. Department of Dermatology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: When tension at a cutaneous defect is too great for primary closure or causes distortion of surrounding anatomy, transposition flaps provide a useful reconstruction option. OBJECTIVE: To review the tissue biomechanics of the rhombic, bilobed, and trilobed transposition flaps. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic evaluation of a cutaneous defect is provided to guide a logical approach to the design and execution of transposition flaps. RESULTS: Applying key principles to the design and execution of transposition flaps results in reliable outcomes. CONCLUSION: Carefully designed and executed rhombic, bilobed, and trilobed transposition flaps provide an excellent reconstruction option when tension at a cutaneous defect is too great for primary closure.
BACKGROUND: When tension at a cutaneous defect is too great for primary closure or causes distortion of surrounding anatomy, transposition flaps provide a useful reconstruction option. OBJECTIVE: To review the tissue biomechanics of the rhombic, bilobed, and trilobed transposition flaps. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic evaluation of a cutaneous defect is provided to guide a logical approach to the design and execution of transposition flaps. RESULTS: Applying key principles to the design and execution of transposition flaps results in reliable outcomes. CONCLUSION: Carefully designed and executed rhombic, bilobed, and trilobed transposition flaps provide an excellent reconstruction option when tension at a cutaneous defect is too great for primary closure.