Skin Flaps Flashcards
What 4 things is it important to do when creating a skin flap?
- use fine instruments when handling skin flaps;
- use sharp dissection rather than blunt dissection when possible;
- manipulate skin flaps with stay sutures to prevent crushing injury to their edges;
- use moist swabs to prevent desiccation of the donor and recipient sites during flap creation and closure.
Define subdermal plexus flaps
full-thickness tongues of skin that are detached from skin adjacent to the wound along three of four quadrants and then advanced or rotated into the wound.
Define a local flap
Developed adjacent to recipient bed
Name types of local flaps (5)
- Advancement
- Rotational
- Transposition
- Interpolation
- Skin fold
Define distant flap
Using skin that is distant to the recipient bed. The skin is then transferred to the recipient site directly (hinge flaps or pouch flaps) or indirectly (tubed flaps).
When are distant flaps used?
Closure of extremity wounds
What is different between skin vasculature of humans vs cats/dogs?
humans - via musculocutaneous arteries
dogs/cat - direct cutaneous arteries.
What is the blood suppled to random flaps via?
Deep dermal (subdermal plexus)
How do you preserve blood supply to flaps?
Undermine deep to panniculus muscle
- if this muscle isnt present - as close as poss to underlying fascia
What is the delay phenomenon?
If the skin is intimately associated with the deeper tissue, this too may need to be incorporated into the flap. Flap survival has been shown to be enhanced by staged development.
What size should a flap be?
Flaps should be large enough to cover the recipient site while allowing the donor site to be closed.
Flaps should have a base slightly wider than their width; if the base is too narrow the flap’s blood supply might be compromised.
The longer the flap is, the great the risk of..
vascular compromise to the flap’s extremities.
How many layers should a flap be closed in?
2-3
What must there be NONE of on the flap?
tension
Why must care be taken when using flaps on limbs? (2)
- Ensure no excessive shearing force
- Ensure movement doesnt distort
T or F
Flap survival has been shown to be enhanced by staged development
True
T or F
Flaps should be closed in two or three layers.
True
T or F
It is essential to guarantee there is some tension on the flap.
False
T or F
Dogs’ blood supply is via direct musculocutaneous arteries and veins.
False
T or F
There are strict guidelines to safe flap dimensions.
False
Advancement flap:
What is the flap length?
equal to wound length
Advancement flap:
What is the flap width
Equal to wound width