ANATOMICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CUTENEOUS FLAPS USED FOR LARGER BODY TISSUE DEFECTS

Abstract

Cutaneous and subcutaneous fat tissue defects are caused by various pathological and trauma conditions. Their coverage can be done with cutaneous flaps or free skin grafts. Anatomical and morphological characteristics of the skin flaps are those which make them versatile and widely applicable for soft tissue defects coverage, even when bare tendon or bone is present on the wound bed bottom. Cur study comprises 645 patients with soft tissue defects, treated on the Clinic for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Skopjе, in a period of 5 years (2002 —2007). Males and females with defects on different body regions are admitted to the study. All defects were treated with skin flaps. We present the results of this reconstructive method. Postoperatively, we examined flap's color, flap's depression/elevation, functional specifics of the flaps and finally, the aesthetic value of the flaps. Hospitalization time was also examined. The conclusion is that in patients where skin flaps were used, better aesthetic and functional effects were achieved; at the same time, the hospital stay was shorter.