Amplified V-Y flaps for nasal defects

Due to a paucity of subcutaneous tissue in the nose, mobilization of some flaps is impeded and large nasal defects are thus difficult to close with traditional V-Y flaps. The V-Y flap is modified by the addition of an amplified limb onto the advancing edge of the V-Y flap. This limb is located adjacent to the area requiring reconstruction and is hinged down on the end of the V-Y flap to close the distal portion of the defect. The amplified V-Y flap, a modified V-Y advancement flap, is very useful for the closure of relatively large defects on the nasal area. We have used this flap for nasal defects as large as 2.5 cm in diameter following excision of skin tumors on the nose in 11 patients. Most excised tumors were basal cell carcinomas. The results have been quite good, with only minor complications in two patients. Complications were encountered only in the nasal tip region, there was partial necrosis at the tip of the amplified portion of the flap. The modifications of the V-Y flap described has extended the application in closing nasal defects. Received: 2 May 1997 / Accepted: 22 July 1997     

Freestyle perforator-based V-Y advancement flap for reconstruction of soft tissue defects at various anatomic regions

BACKGROUND: Perforator flap surgery has gained great popularity in the last decade because surgeons can prepare freestyle flaps in anywhere on the body if they find a perforator supplied to the flap. One of the basic principles of reconstructive surgery is that superior results can be obtained for color and texture match if immediately adjacent soft tissue is used to repair a defect. V-Y advancement flaps are used successfully based on this principle, but the degree of mobility of a V-Y advancement flap is dependent on the laxity of the underlying subcutaneous tissue. This is an important disadvantage of traditional V-Y advancement flap and limits its use. METHODS: We used V-Y advancement flaps as perforator-based to overcome mobility restriction problem. The authors used 26 perforator-based V-Y advancement flaps in 24 consecutive patients for coverage of defects located at sacral (4), thigh (6), abdominal wall (3), inguinal (3), back (4), leg (2), and trochanter (2) regions. There were 14 female and 10 male patients with a mean age of 48.3 years (range, 22-70 years). RESULTS: The patients were followed up for a mean period of 14.2 months (range, 9-21 months). The size of the defects ranged from 3 x 5 cm to 15 x 20 cm. All flaps survived completely (92.4%) except 2 in which one of them had undergone total necrosis and the other had marginal necrosis. Fifteen flaps (57.6%) were elevated based on 2 perforators, 7 flaps (26.9%) were used with only one perforator, and the remaining 4 (15.5%) had 3 perforators. CONCLUSIONS: Perforator-based V-Y advancement flaps are safe and very effective for coverage of defects in which closure is impossible with a standard V-Y advancement flap. Dissection of the perforator or perforators offers remarkable excursion to the V-Y flap with minimal donor site morbidity. These axial pattern flaps can be used successfully with good esthetic and functional results at various regions of the body if there is any detectable perforator.     

Subcutaneous island pedicle flap: variations and versatility for facial reconstruction

PURPOSE: Reconstruction of facial skin defects may be a clinical challenge in respect to esthetic considerations, and the V-Y advancement island pedicle flap has been a versatile and reliable method. Besides the V-Y flap, this article is to introduce the variations of subcutaneous island pedicle flaps and their versatility for facial reconstruction. METHODS: From August 1994 to August 2005, 179 cases of medium-sized facial skin defects within 1 cosmetic unit were reconstructed with the variations of island pedicle flaps, and the length and width of the defects following removal of lesion ranged from 1.2 cm x 0.8 cm to 6.2 cm x 5.4 cm. RESULTS: Ninety-nine facial defects all over the face were reconstructed with the V-Y flaps, and the traditional and modified transposition island pedicle flaps were used to reconstruct 80 cases of relatively larger width of defects in the nose, lip, and upper cheek, especially in the young patients. Through careful planning and implementation, all flaps survived with primary healing postoperatively. With a follow-up from 6 to 30 months, well-concealed, soft, flat scars, together with good matching of the recipient sites and the flaps, were recorded. Patients and surgeons judged final overall outcome as excellent or good in 94.4% and 92.2% of evaluated patients, respectively. The main complications included visible trapdoor deformation in 9 patients, bulky flap pedicle in 8 patients, and low-grade ectropion of lower eyelid in a young boy, which all were readily revised at the second stage. Temporary alteration of sensation in the flap skin was another possible complication but usually improved with time. CONCLUSIONS: Variations of subcutaneous island pedicle flaps can be designed and may be versatile and reliable methods for esthetic reconstruction of medium-sized facial defects.     

双侧反向臀上动脉远侧穿支V-Y推进筋膜皮瓣修复骶部巨大褥疮

目的:笔者设计了一种双侧反向臀上动脉远侧穿支V-Y推进筋膜皮瓣,关闭巨大骶部溃疡,以增加皮瓣推进量,避免臀大肌功能性缺损。方法:清创后V-Y推进皮瓣标记于双侧臀部。在缺损近侧掀起筋膜皮瓣,在远侧臀大肌肌肉附件里保留臀上动脉远侧穿支,直至获得足够的皮瓣前移。结果:用此方法治疗15个直径7～15cm的骶部褥疮的患者,没有出现皮瓣坏死和溃疡复发,91%的皮瓣Ⅰ期愈合。结论:此技术使皮瓣推进量增加,皮瓣存活可靠,并保留了双侧臀部和臀大肌功能。     

A Case of Postmastectomy Defect Reconstructed Using a Laterothoracic Bilaterally Pedicled V-Y Advancement Flap

BACKGROUND: The reconstruction of major defects of the trunk is generally achieved by means of pedicled or free musculocutaneous flaps, but for less extensive defects, local flaps or skin grafts are currently used. The bilaterally pedicled V-Y advancement flap differs from the traditional V-Y advancement flap and was described for soft tissue reconstruction in the face. In our unit, the bilaterally pedicled V-Y advancement flap is the most used local flap for face reconstruction, and our aim was to use it in a different location. METHODS: In this case report we present a postmastectomy defect reconstructed with good results using the bilaterally pedicled V-Y advancement flap. RESULTS: The flap healed without further problems, and a good aesthetic result was obtained. CONCLUSION: The bilaterally pedicled V-Y advancement flap is reliable and easy to harvest, and not only for face reconstruction. Its versatility and plasticity allow its use for the reconstruction of many defects at varying locations.     

Bilateral, extended V-Y advancement flap

A modification of the V-Y advancement flap for the closure of circular skin defects is presented to decrease the tension in the closure and to break the midline vertical scar. Bilateral, extended V-Y advancement flaps with additional limbs extending to the advancing edges of the standard flaps were marked on both sides of the wound. After advancement of the V-Y flaps on their subcutaneous pedicle, the upper and lower extensions were hinged downward as transposition flaps to close the middle portion of the circular defect, where maximum tension occurs. This procedure was applied to 10 patients with sacral and trochanteric pressure sores. No complications or recurrences were noted during the 2 to 10 months of follow-up. Bilateral, extended V-Y advancement flaps enable the reconstruction of large defects without midline tension. Also, the resulting scar where the flaps meet is a zigzag line, so a straight midline scar is avoided.     

Closure of meningomyelocele defects with bilateral modified V-Y advancement flaps

BACKGROUND: Although several different methods were described in the literature, closure of large meningomyelocele defects presents a challenging problem. Wound dehiscence may lead to devastating complications. In this paper, the efficacy of the bilateral modified V-Y advancement flap procedure was investigated in terms of simplicity, donor-site morbidity, and reliability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors presented 10 neonates treated with a modified subcutaneous advancement procedure. Unlike the typical V-Y advancement techniques, the apical extensions of the "V" flaps were elevated based on the paraspinous perforators. A standard closure algorithm was not followed, as the well-vascularized apical extensions facilitated intraoperative decision making for the most appropriate adaptation pattern, depending on the size, shape, and localization of the defect. As well as that, transposition of these apical flaps to the defect site was further supported by the advancement of the V-Y flaps to decrease the tension along the closure. RESULTS: Mean follow-up period was 13.6 months (range 3-37 months), and no complications that might be attributable to the operative procedure were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Utilization of bilateral modified V-Y flaps for the closure of large meningomyelocele defects is a simple and effective procedure. Main advantages of the method described in this paper may be listed as follows: simplicity, reliability due to coverage of the defect with well-vascularized flaps, minimal bleeding, decreased operative time, and no donor-site morbidity.     

Rate of elongation provided by multiple subcutaneous pedicle rhomboid flaps-an experimental study in the rat inguinal skin

PURPOSE: To investigate the rate of elongation provided by multiple subcutaneous pedicle rhomboid flaps. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lower extremities of 20 male Sprague-Dawley rats were strained and fixed on a table to provide a tension line over the inguinal area. Two rhomboid shaped adjacent flaps with subcutaneous pedicles were designed over the tension line. Each flap was 1cm long and the distance between two flaps was 0.5 cm. The total pre-operative length was 2.5 cm. Flaps were incised and freed from the stretched skin. Tension line over the inguinal area was relieved by relaxation incisions. The resulting defects were then closed by suturing the rhomboid flaps in V-Y advancement along the tension line and in Y-V advancement along the relaxation incisions. The final elongation was measured and the results were analysed statistically. RESULTS: All relaxation incisions were effective in relief of tension over the inguinal area and in lengthening the tension line. Pre-operative 2.5 cm lengths ranged between 5.7 and 6.3 cm post-operatively (mean +/- standard deviation = 5.99 +/- 17 cm). The mean difference between pre- and post-operative measurements was 3.49 cm (139.6% gain in length). The subcutaneous pedicle rhomboid flaps easily closed all defects generated by relaxation and elongation. Statistical analysis revealed that two adjacent subcutaneous pedicle rhomboid flaps were efficient to close the defects generated by the relaxation incisions that produced a 139% gain in length (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this experimental study show that multiple subcutaneous pedicle rhomboid flaps promise to be a good alternate technique in the treatment of long contracture bands in terms of rate of elongation and simplicity.     

Bilateral modified V-Y advancement flaps for closing meningomyelocele defects

Various reports describe surgical techniques for closing a meningomyelocele defect. We have used a combination flap consisting of a vertical bipedicled flap and V-Y advancement flap and used this technique in the successful repair of 11 meningomyelocele defects. The vertical bipedicled flap enhances the blood supply to the V-Y advancement flap with no sacrifice of muscle tissue. This flap can easily be moved to the midline, and the donor area can be primarily sutured with no complications. Our method has several advantages compared with previously reported methods: 1) no skin grafts are needed; 2) no muscle tissue is killed; 3) it is simple and easy, leading to less blood loss and minimal operative time; and 4) it is safe and produces reliable results while eliminating wound dehiscence and skin necrosis.     

V-Y rotation advancement flap: A metanalysis and systematic review

Local skin flaps are used to close defects adjacent to the donor site. They are classified according to their method of movement: flaps that advance from its base to the defect (V-Y, Y-V, single-pedicle, and bipedicle advancement flaps) and flaps that move on a pivot point (rotation, transposition, and interpolation flaps). Despite its frequent use, there is not a unique name for V-Y rotation advancement flap; moreover, there is not a flap class called “rotation advancement” in the textbooks. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using “PubMed” and “Google Scholar” in December 2013. We made different searches using keywords “V-Y-S flap,” “V-Y rotation advancement flap,” and “hatchet flap”. The search was limited to the studies published in English and French. In total, 31 articles were found. Five articles presenting musculocutaneous hatchet flap, were excluded from the review. We included 26 articles in which cutaneous and fasciocutaneous flaps were described. We found 12 case series and five case reports presenting “hatchet flap.” Two case series and two case reports about “V-Y-S flap” were reported. Four case series and one case report about “V-Y rotation and advancement flap” were written. V-Y rotation and advancement flap were performed under different names on any regions of the body by several authors, and none of the authors reported flap loss or any dehiscence that resulted with a second surgery. With the help of this review, we would like to standardize its design and its dissection. Level of Evidence: Not ratable.     

双皮下蒂V-Y推进皮瓣修复指端缺损及疗效观察

目的 采用双皮下蒂V-Y推进皮瓣修复指端皮肤缺损并观察其治疗效果.方法 双皮下蒂V-Y推进皮瓣修复39例39指指端缺损,指端皮肤缺损面积均小于或等于1.2 cm2.随访检测患指指腹外观、持物和关节活动度以及出汗情况、感觉等指标.结果 术后39指指端缺损皮瓣完全存活.术后1年随访,外观、出汗情况、持物稳定性、关节活动范围等令人满意.39指痛觉全部恢复,触觉迟钝者仅有7.7%,46.1%的患者两点分辨觉恢复到正常范围内,实体感觉综合能力恢复达优者占92.3%.结论 选择双皮下蒂V-Y推进皮瓣修复末节指端缺损是有效而简单的方法 ,并可获得良好的修复外形及功能.     

Advancement Flaps: A Basic Theme with Many Variations

Background. The advancement flap involves the linear advancement of tissue in one direction. Despite its straightforwardness and simple concept, it can be used to close a variety of defects, ranging from small defects on the scalp or extremities to large, complicated defects involving cosmetic units on the face.
Objectives. To provide a basic and useful review for the indications, advantages, disadvantages, and techniques for the use of advancement flaps in the reconstruction of defects in dermatologic surgery.
Materials and Methods. We performed a literature search for articles discussing advancement flaps and compiled a brief review of our findings.
Results. The movement of the advancement flap must be balanced by the blood supply of the flap. The excision of Burow's triangles along various aspects of the advancement flap can increase movement and improve cosmesis of the flap. The types of advancement flaps discussed include the single advancement flap, double advancement flap, A-T flap (O-T flap), Burow's triangle flap (Burow's wedge flap), crescenteric advancement flap, island pedicle flap (V-Y flap), helical rim advancement flap, and facelift flap.
Conclusion. Advancement flaps are versatile and useful basic flaps for repairing defects.     

双皮下蒂V-Y推进皮瓣修复指端缺损及疗效观察

目的 采用双皮下蒂V-Y推进皮瓣修复指端皮肤缺损并观察其治疗效果.方法 双皮下蒂V-Y推进皮瓣修复39例39指指端缺损,指端皮肤缺损面积均小于或等于1.2 cm2.随访检测患指指腹外观、持物和关节活动度以及出汗情况、感觉等指标.结果 术后39指指端缺损皮瓣完全存活.术后1年随访,外观、出汗情况、持物稳定性、关节活动范围等令人满意.39指痛觉全部恢复,触觉迟钝者仅有7.7%,46.1%的患者两点分辨觉恢复到正常范围内,实体感觉综合能力恢复达优者占92.3%.结论 选择双皮下蒂V-Y推进皮瓣修复末节指端缺损是有效而简单的方法 ,并可获得良好的修复外形及功能.     

双皮下蒂V-Y推进皮瓣修复指端缺损及疗效观察

目的 采用双皮下蒂V-Y推进皮瓣修复指端皮肤缺损并观察其治疗效果.方法 双皮下蒂V-Y推进皮瓣修复39例39指指端缺损,指端皮肤缺损面积均小于或等于1.2 cm2.随访检测患指指腹外观、持物和关节活动度以及出汗情况、感觉等指标.结果 术后39指指端缺损皮瓣完全存活.术后1年随访,外观、出汗情况、持物稳定性、关节活动范围等令人满意.39指痛觉全部恢复,触觉迟钝者仅有7.7%,46.1%的患者两点分辨觉恢复到正常范围内,实体感觉综合能力恢复达优者占92.3%.结论 选择双皮下蒂V-Y推进皮瓣修复末节指端缺损是有效而简单的方法 ,并可获得良好的修复外形及功能.     

Modified bilateral advancement flap: the slide-in flap.

The bilateral V-Y advancement flaps are used commonly in the closure of circular skin defects. We modified the standard bilateral V-Y advancement flap technique to reduce the tension along the closure, and used it in 10 patients between 1995 and 1997. In the presence of a circular defect, bilateral V-Y advancement flaps were marked on the skin, with the height of the V flaps measuring 1.5 to 2 times the diameter of the defect. The limbs of the V were not drawn as straight lines, but were curved outward slightly, making the flap and its two extensions broader than the standard V-Y flap. The broad extensions of the V flaps encircled the defect from above and below. Skin incisions were made vertically down to the muscle fascia. Additional undermining was carried out to elevate the upper and lower extensions of the V flaps for a distance that equaled the radius of the defect. The upper and lower extensions of the V flap on one side were transposed into the defect and sutured to the concave base of the opposing flap V flap at its midpoint. These extensions were then sutured to each other. The extensions of the opposing V flap were then transposed into the defect; the upper being superior and the lower being inferior to the extensions of the first flap. The rest of the operation was completed by advancement of the V flaps and closure in a Y configuration. The efficient redistribution of available tissue by the combined use of transposition and advancement principles resulted in the repair of relatively large skin defects with reduced tension along the closure. Satisfactory results were obtained in all patients in this series without any surgical complication.     

Fasciocutaneous V-Y advancement flap for repair of sacral defects

Sacral defects from 6 to 11 cm in diameter were closed with bilateral fasciocutaneous V-Y advancement flaps. All the defects were easily closed without any postoperative complication. We believe that the V-Y advancement technique using the fasciocutaneous unit has some major advantages for repair of moderate-size sacral defects. It is a safe, simple, and less invasive procedure.     

同指尺侧岛状皮瓣远侧V-Y推进修复拇指指端缺损

目的 探讨一种修复拇指指端缺损的手术方法. 方法 对拇指指端缺损的患者采用同指尺侧岛状皮瓣远侧V-Y推进进行修复,术中切取皮瓣范围1.4 cm×2.0 cm～1.4 cm×2.5 cm,供区取前臂全厚皮片移植修复. 结果 2007年3月至2009年10月于临床应用10例,术后所有皮瓣和移植皮片均成活,伤口一期愈合.术后随访6～18个月,皮瓣质地柔软,无明显挛缩,末节指腹指纹重新建立,指间关节活动正常,无钩甲畸形发生,末节指腹两点辨别觉为5～6 mm. 结论 应用同指尺侧岛状皮瓣远侧V-Y推进的方法可以较好地修复拇指指端缺损.     

臀大肌远侧穿支V-Y皮瓣修复骶部褥疮

目的探讨应用臀大肌远侧穿支V-Y皮瓣修复骶部褥疮,简化手术操作。方法2002年3月~2005年3月,对11例骶部褥疮应用臀大肌远侧穿支V-Y皮瓣修复。褥疮范围:13 cm×11 cm~18 cm×14 cm,褥疮最大直径达18 cm。其中男7例,女4例。年龄21~69岁。病程8个月~3年。手术彻底清创后,设计以褥疮外侧创缘为底部,顶在股骨大转子处的V形皮瓣,皮瓣的内侧半在臀大肌的浅面掀起,皮瓣的外侧部从臀大肌深面掀起,形成一包含外侧穿支的V形皮瓣。将皮瓣向内侧推进修复骶部创面,供区创面作V-Y缝合。结果11例骶部褥疮修复后,皮瓣全部成活。术后随访5个月~3年,双臀部对称,外形满意,除1例因其他疾病死亡外,余无褥疮复发。结论臀大肌远侧穿支V-Y皮瓣手术操作简便、血运丰富、蒂部较长、向内侧推进的幅度较大、皮瓣大及供区损害小且可直接缝合,是修复骶部较大的软组织缺损可供选择的一种方法。     

The V-flap and the Berlin tulip flap: two new concepts in conventional flap techniques

Microsurgical operations are costly and technologically demanding. We have therefore developed new conventional flap techniques using state-of-the-art knowledge of skin anatomy and circulation. The V-flap is a combination of the V-Y advancement flap and two Limberg flaps [2]. Sixty patients treated by the new flap technique have shown a low rate of complication. Even when used in difficult regions of the body or in very large defects, the V flap has proven to be very effective. It has been adopted as a standard flap technique in our hospital. The Berlin tulip flap is another very reliable flap. To form the tulip flap, the outer corners of a subcutaneous pedicle flap are curved backwards. When detached, they can be transposed to the healthy tissue on the contralateral side. This completely relieves the midzone, which then can be safely closed in the same manner as a V-Y flap. The Berlin tulip flap is particularly useful for covering trunk defects and managing sacral ulcers in paraplegics.Correspondence to: E. Vaubel     

The use of subcutaneous pedicle multiple rhomboid flaps in the treatment of long postburn scar contractures

The subcutaneous pedicle rhomboid flap is a relatively new technique in the treatment of linear, wide or quadratic postburn scar contractures with two or more contracture lines. The effectiveness of the rhomboid flap depends on lengthening the contracture band by relaxation incisions and closing the emerged defect by suturing the rhomboid flap in V-Y and Y-V advancement. The technique is simple, efficient and versatile. The broad subcutaneous pedicle of the flap is very reliable and postoperative flap necrosis is rare. Clinical results show that the gain in length provided by a single rhomboid flap ranges from 75-90%. However, the technique may not be efficient enough to release the whole band in cases of long contracture bands. Therefore, a new design of rhomboid flaps, called "multiple rhomboid flaps", may be needed. Twelve patients (aged 3-40 years) with long linear and wide scar contractures were successfully treated with subcutaneous pedicle multiple rhomboid flaps. Multiple consequent or adjacent rhomboid flaps were applied in the upper extremity (in nine patients), trunk (in seven patients), and lower extremity (in two patients). Complete relaxation and elongation of the contracture bands were achieved in all of the cases and all rhomboid flaps healed uneventfully. The results were functionally and cosmetically successful. The application of rhomboid flaps in this consequent and adjacent fashion is a new concept. Clinical results prove that the technique is versatile and effective in the release of long potstburn scar contractures. Since distortion of the surrounding skin or displacement of anatomical landmarks is not seen with the technique, color and texture matches are perfect. Designing and performing multiple rhomboid flaps is very simple and the operation time is short. As no undermining is carried out in the technique, the flaps are more reliable than commonly used multiple Z-plasty.