Usefulness of V-Y Advancement Flap for Defects after Skin Tumor Excision.
10.5999/aps.2012.39.6.619
- Author:
Ki Hyun KWON
1
;
Dong Gwan LEE
;
Su Han KOO
;
Myoung Soo JO
;
Heakyeong SHIN
;
Jung Hyun SEUL
Author Information
1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju, Korea. jhseul@med.yu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Surgical flaps;
Skin neoplasms;
Reconstructive surgical procedures
- MeSH:
Bowen's Disease;
Carcinoma, Basal Cell;
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell;
Cicatrix;
Extremities;
Female;
Free Tissue Flaps;
Humans;
Male;
Melanoma;
Reconstructive Surgical Procedures;
Recurrence;
Scalp;
Skin;
Skin Neoplasms;
Surgical Flaps;
Transplants;
Upper Extremity
- From:Archives of Plastic Surgery
2012;39(6):619-625
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: After skin tumor excision on the face, extremities, or trunk, the choice of treatment for a skin defect is highly variable. Many surgeons prefer to use a local flap rather than a skin graft or free flap for small- or moderately-sized circular defects. We have used unilateral or bilateral V-Y advancement flaps, especially on the face. Here we evaluated the functional and aesthetic results of this technique. METHODS: All of the patients were pathologically diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), or malignant melanoma or premalignant lesion (Bowen's disease). Thirty-two patients underwent V-Y advancement flap repair (11 unilateral and 21 bilateral) from January 2007 to June 2011. We analyzed the patients' age and satisfaction, and location and size of defect. The patients were followed up for 6 months or more. RESULTS: There were 22 women and 10 men. The ages ranged from 47 to 93 years with a mean age of 66 years. The causes were SCC in 15 cases, BCC in 13 cases, malignant melanoma in 1 case, Bowen's disease in 2 cases, and another cause in 1 case. The tumor locations were the face in 28 patients, and the scalp, upper limb, and flank each in one patient. All of the flaps survived and the aesthetic results were good. Postoperative recovery was usually rapid, and no complication or tumor recurrence was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The V-Y advancement flap is often used not only for facial circular defects but also for defects of the trunk and extremities. Its advantages are less scarring and superior aesthetic results as compared with other local flap methods, because of less scarification of adjacent tissue and because it is an easy surgical technique.
