De-epithelialised "turn over" axial-pattern flaps in the lower extremity.

Leonard (1981) has reported the successful use of a de-epithelialised "turn over" deltopectoral flap for a chest wall defect. This paper presents the application of the principle of a de-epithelialised " turn over" type of flap to the fasciocutaneous flap described by Pontén (1981) and the dorsalis pedis flap described by O'Brien and Shanmugam (1973) and McCraw and Furlow (1975) for defects of skin and subcutaneous tissue in the lower extremity. The reason for their choice and the alternatives are briefly discussed and some general comments are added on the use of de-epithelialised "turn over" flaps.