Skin Flap

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is a skin flap? A skin flap is a portion of skin that is moved from one area of the body to another. It is made up of all layers of the skin and some fatty tissue. A skin flap may also include muscle, cartilage, and hair. The area where the skin flap will be taken is called the donor site. One end of the skin flap often remains attached to the donor site and to its blood supply. The other end of the skin flap is moved to cover the wound. Sometimes, skin flaps are completely cut from the donor site, and their blood vessels connected to blood vessels at the wound site using microsurgery. A skin flap is commonly used to cover a deep or large open wound, or repair damaged skin.

Which part of the body is a skin flap taken from? A skin flap may be taken from any part of the body, but is usually from an area with loose skin. The skin flap is usually close to the wound or from the same area as the wound. It may also be taken from a different part of the body that is far from the wound. As much as possible, skin flaps should look the same as the area where it will be placed. Skin color, texture (smoothness), hair growth, and thickness, will all be looked at when choosing an area to take the skin flap.

How is skin flap surgery done?

• Surgery is done by cutting a part of your healthy skin at the donor site. The flap may be pulled, turned, or twisted to fit the wound perfectly. Skin flaps completely cut from the donor site will have their blood vessels reconnected to blood vessels at the wound site. The repaired area and the donor site are closed using stitches (threads), staples, or skin glue. Special dressings are placed to protect the wound from infection and help it heal faster. These may be in the form of bandages, films, or foams that may contain certain substances for better wound healing.
  
  

How does a skin flap heal? A skin flap heals like a normal wound does. The flap is kept alive by the blood supplied by its own blood vessels. Over time, these blood vessels may grow and supply more blood to the area. Blood vessels in the flap that were cut usually connect with the blood vessels in the new area. New blood vessels may also form.

What are the risks of having a skin flap? Having a skin flap may put you at risk of other problems. Excess bleeding or infection can occur. Scars may form on both the donor and repaired sites. The skin may not look or feel the way you expected it to. The skin flap's blood vessels may also be damaged as it is moved to another area. This risk may be higher if the donor site is far from the wound. When blood vessels get damaged, the blood supply and wound healing may decrease and may lead to skin death.

What may cause problems with a skin flap? Certain factors may cause a skin flap failure or delay wound healing. These may include the following:

• Diseases or conditions which may slow the healing process. These may include diabetes, blocked or narrowed blood vessel, liver, kidney, lung, or heart conditions, and cancer.
  
  
• Infection.
  
  
• Smoking cigars, pipes, and cigarettes.
  
  
• Weak immune system. The immune system is the part of the body that fights infection. This may be weakened by radiation, poor nutrition, and certain medicines, such as anti-cancer medicines or steroids. Increasing age may also decrease the body's ability to respond to injury.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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