The use of the “next
best skin” being
the next best skin. Flaps can be mobilised from adjacent tissue as pivot,
advancement or interpolation flaps.
Regional flap reconstruction
Reliable tissue
can be transferred based on the vascular pedicles of the upper limb.
This tissue is used to resurface areas of tissue loss.
Distant flap reconstruction
Areas adjacent
to the upper limb can be used to resurface larger defects in the upper
limb. Such areas include the groin, abdomen and chest. These techniques
may involve 2 staged operations.
Free flap reconstruction
More complex defects
require the use of free tissue transfer. This is where a reliable block
of tissue is moved from one area to another and its blood supply is restored
using microsurgical techniques.
Revascularisation and replantation
Microsurgical
reconstruction is used to restore a blood supply to a region when it
has been divided (e.g. severed digit), or to restore blood flow when
interrupted by trauma (e.g. crush injury). |
