Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

The basic Z-plasty.

Gohar A Salam¹, Janki P Amin

¹Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.

American Family Physician

|June 13, 2003

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Z-plasty is a surgical technique that improves scar appearance by realigning scars with natural skin tension lines. This plastic surgery method uses transposed triangular flaps to lengthen scars and enhance cosmetic outcomes.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Spontaneous separation of idiopathic epiretinal membrane in a 7-year-old child.

Journal of AAPOS : the official publication of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus·2007

Same author

Retinal tears and retinal detachment as factors affecting visual outcome after cataract extraction complicated by posteriorly dislocated lens material.

Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.)·2005

Same author

Dramatic decrease in intraocular pressure following topical administration of cycloplegics in an aphakic child.

Journal of AAPOS : the official publication of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus·2005

Same author

Lens-sparing vitrectomy for progressive tractional retinal detachments associated with stage 4A retinopathy of prematurity.

Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)·2004

Same author

Excellent visual outcome and reversal of dragging after lens sparing vitrectomy for progressive tractional stage 4a retinopathy of prematurity retinal detachment.

Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.)·2004

Same author

Regional anesthesia for office procedures: Part II. Extremity and inguinal area surgeries.

American family physician·2004

Same journal

For Post-stent Patients With Atherosclerotic Coronary Vascular Disease Who Are Taking an Anticoagulant, Adding Aspirin Worsens Outcomes.

American family physician·2026

Same journal

Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy.

American family physician·2026

Same journal

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: Diagnosis and Management.

American family physician·2026

Same journal

Aerobic Exercise Is the Better Exercise Modality for Knee Osteoarthritis.

American family physician·2026

Same journal

Overscreening Leads to Overdiagnosis of MASLD.

American family physician·2026

Same journal

Type 2 Diabetes: Outpatient Insulin Management.

American family physician·2026

See all related articles

Area of Science:

Plastic Surgery
Dermatology
Wound Healing

Background:

Scars can negatively impact both the functional and cosmetic appearance of the skin.
Contracted scars often require surgical intervention to restore normal function and aesthetics.
Existing scar revision techniques may have limitations in addressing complex scar formations.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe the Z-plasty technique for scar revision.
To explain the principles of flap creation and transposition in Z-plasty.
To highlight the potential benefits and complications associated with Z-plasty.

Main Methods:

Z-plasty involves creating two equal-sized triangular flaps.
These flaps are then transposed to cover the central wound.

Related Experiment Videos

Basic Z-plasty utilizes a 60-degree angle for flap creation.

Main Results:

The Z-plasty technique can lengthen scars by 50% to 70%.
It effectively reorients the central wound axis by 90 degrees.
Precise flap geometry is crucial for successful closure and to avoid complications.

Conclusions:

Z-plasty is an effective plastic surgery technique for improving scar appearance and function.
Proper execution of the technique minimizes risks such as flap necrosis and infection.
Careful flap design is essential to prevent complications like the trapdoor effect.