Avoiding Skin Grafts: The Keystone Flap in Cutaneous Defects

The Keystone Design Perforator Island Flap is a fasciocutaneous perforator flap resembling two end-to-end VY flaps. We used a modification of the original design to avoid extending the incision into an elliptical pattern, and maintained a trailing skin bridge whilst incising fascia in a tunneling fashion. Thirty patients underwent 32 flaps mainly on the lower leg to close defects that would traditionally require skin grafting. All flaps survived completely, with minor complications in four patients. All but five patients were allowed unrestricted ambulation after surgery. The modified design is straightforward to learn, has reliable perfusion, and provides a simpler recovery for patients.

Therapeutic, IV.