Fundamentals of Flaps

Since the origin of plastic surgery, grafts and flaps have been the most important pillars of most types of surgical reconstructions. A flap is defined as a unit of tissue that maintains its own blood supply while being transferred from a donor site to a recipient site. In contrast to a graft, which is revascularized from the recipient bed, the characteristics of each flap can be classified according to its vascular supply, type of movement, and tissue composition, to meet the reconstructive requirements of each anatomical region. The plastic surgeon must master the basic concepts, indications, contraindications, and complications associated with the use of flaps. This chapter will attempt to provide a concise overview of flaps.