Rotation Flaps

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Rotation flaps are arcuate repairs that redistribute tension vectors and recruit adjacent and/or distant tissue laxity. Rotation allows for the closure of wounds that cannot be repaired along a single tension vector. A rich and evolving literature details the evolution of rotation as an elegant method of repair for surgical wounds.

Teaching Advanced Wound Closure Techniques Using Cattle Digits

“…Several advanced techniques, such as Z-plasty, V-Y plasty, and oval-shaped advancement flap, are available and can be used interchangeably, depending upon the presentation of the wound, to treat circular, elliptical, asymmetric, or square wounds for which direct suturing is not always the method of choice to facilitate better results. [1][2][3] Although most of these advanced techniques are not difficult to perform, they require some learning before use on patients. 1,3 Accurate planning and abstract visualization of the shifting and rotation of the cutaneous flap are necessary to avoid later poor skin perfusion and a larger resulting cutaneous defect, respectively.…”

Two Cases of Annular Skin Defects Repaired with Quadruple Fan Flaps (O-X Flap)

“…Our method consists of four fan-like rotation flaps arranged in open and closed configuration 3 . This design results in a scar that is the same size as the lesion.…”

“…The new flap design, which leads to reduced scar length in annular defects, consists of four rotation flaps arranged in open and closed configuration 3 . This design results in a scar as large as the diameter of the lesion.…”

Oval-to-Z Flap: A Novel Option in Cutaneous Reconstruction

“…After the primary defect is closed using the rotating flaps, the secondary defects are closed using simple advancement along the length of the curvilinear incisions. 1 To minimize flap tension, incision lengths may be twice the diameter of the defect. 2 The pivotal point restraint limits skin rotation.…”