eMedicine Specialties > Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery > Reconstructive Surgery

Advancement Flaps: Follow-up

Author: Anthony P Sclafani, MD, Director of Facial Plastic Surgery, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary; Professor of Otolaryngology, New York Medical College
Coauthor(s): Matthew W Shawl, MD, Fellow, Buckhead Facial Plastic Surgery
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Oct 17, 2008

Outcome and Prognosis

The advancement flap is a valuable tool for the surgeon repairing skin defects in the head and neck region. Proper patient selection and planning are essential. Advancement flaps are desirable because skin advanced from adjacent areas is usually a good match for color, thickness, and texture. Incisions can be hidden well in relaxed skin-tension lines or in borders of facial aesthetic units.

Future and Controversies

The advancement flap is one of many techniques available to close skin defects of the head and neck. Often, a given defect may be closed in more than one way, and talented surgeons may disagree. Current research topics include the role of vasodilating agents, antiplatelet drugs, and hyperbaric oxygen. These research areas will probably improve techniques or provide agents to increase flap survival.

 


More on Advancement Flaps

Overview: Advancement Flaps
Treatment: Advancement Flaps
Follow-up: Advancement Flaps
Multimedia: Advancement Flaps
References

References

  1. Andrades PR, Calderon W, Leniz P, et al. Geometric analysis of the V-Y advancement flap and its clinical applications. Plast Reconstr Surg. May 2005;115(6):1582-90. [Medline].

  2. Baker SR. Reconstruction of facial defects. In: Otolaryngology: and Head and Neck Surgery. 1998:527-559.

  3. Calhoun KH, Seikaly H, Quinn FB. Teaching paradigm for decision making in facial skin defect reconstructions. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Jan 1998;124(1):60-6. [Medline].

  4. Connor CD, Fosko SW. Anatomy and Physiology of Local Skin Flaps. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. Nov 1996;4:447-454.

  5. Fisher J. Basic principles of skin flaps. In: Essentials of Plastic, Maxillofacial and Reconstructive Surgery. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 1987:37-50.

  6. Murakami CS, Nishioka GJ. Essential Concepts in the Design of Local Skin Flaps. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. Nov 1996;4:455-468.

  7. Onishi K, Maruyama Y, Hayashi A, et al. Repair of scalp defect using a superficial temporal fascia pedicle VY advancement scalp flap. Br J Plast Surg. Jul 2005;58(5):676-80. [Medline].

  8. Sabit I, Schaefer SD, Couldwell WT. Extradural extranasal combined transmaxillary transsphenoidal approach to the cavernous sinus: a minimally invasive microsurgical model. Laryngoscope. Feb 2000;110(2 Pt 1):286-91. [Medline].

  9. Shumrick KA. Local skin flaps: anatomy, physiology, and general types. In: Head and Neck Surgery - Otolaryngology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 1993:1913-1948.

Further Reading

Keywords

advancement flaps, skin flaps, skin flap, vy advancement flaps, local skin flap, rotation flap, skin defects, monopedicled flap, bipedicled flap, V-Y flap, delay phenomenon, random flap

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Anthony P Sclafani, MD, Director of Facial Plastic Surgery, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary; Professor of Otolaryngology, New York Medical College
Anthony P Sclafani, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American College of Surgeons
Disclosure: Medicis None Speaking and teaching; Contura None Board membership; Contura Grant/research funds Independent contractor; Cascade Medical Grant/research funds Independent contractor; Cascade Medical None Board membership

Coauthor(s)

Matthew W Shawl, MD, Fellow, Buckhead Facial Plastic Surgery
Matthew W Shawl, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Paul S Nassif, MD, FACS, Consulting Surgeon, Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Spalding Drive Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology
Paul S Nassif, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, and California Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

David W Stepnick, MD, Associate Professor, Departments of Plastic Surgery and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, University Hospitals of Cleveland Case Medical Center
David W Stepnick, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society for Head and Neck Surgery, and Society of University Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Christopher L Slack, MD, Otolaryngology-Facial Plastic Surgery, Private Practice, Associated Coastal ENT; Medical Director, Treasure Coast Sleep Disorders
Christopher L Slack, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA, Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Head and Neck Society
Disclosure: Covidien Corp Consulting fee Consulting; US Tobacco Corporation unstricted gift unknown

 
 
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