Summary
Background
The keystone design perforator island flap has been described as a curvilinear shaped
trapezoidal design flap that is essentially two V–Y flaps end-to-side. Viability of
the flap is thought to be supported by the subcutaneous vascular network and fascial
and muscular perforators. The aim of this study was to assess the vascularisation
of this flap and the behaviour of the skin paddle when submitted to important traction
forces.
Methods
Fourteen flaps were raised after a skin defect was created on various regions of two
fresh cadavers. Longitudinal and transversal cutaneous markings allowed analysis of
the behaviour of the skin paddle during the course of direct closure and flap mobilisation.
Injections of coloured solutions were performed before and after the flap elevation
to visualise the vascularisation of the flap.
Discussion
The superficial vascular network was always preserved by the blunt dissection of the
flap's margins and perforators arising from the underlying muscular tissue were constantly
found. The dual vascularisation of the flap was then confirmed.
Cutaneous markings showed the skin paddle to remain static in size with advancement
of the surrounding tissues to meet the flap. The flap advancement opens a long and
narrow defect on the lateral margin, the approximation of which in a V–Y fashion reduces
even more the surface to be closed. Elevation of the flap also allows distribution
of the tension forces over a greater surface both within the flap as well as the surrounding
tissues.
Conclusion
The vascular reliability of this flap and its versatile design potentially gives it
a universal application all over the body.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 24, 2007
Accepted:
January 24,
2007
Received:
June 8,
2006
Footnotes
☆Presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of the Société Française de Chirurgie Plastique, Esthétique et Reconstructrice, Paris, 2005.
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Access this article on ScienceDirectLinked Article
- The keystone design perforator island flap. Part II: clinical applicationsJournal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic SurgeryVol. 60Issue 8
- PreviewThis curvilinear- and trapezoidal-shaped flap essentially consists of two conjoined V–Y flaps end to side. The vascular supply is supported by the subcutaneous vascular network and is dependent on fascial and muscular perforators. A review of 15 clinical cases was performed to assess the reliability and versatility of the flap.
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