The flip-flap puzzle flap: Another recycling option

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery
• Microsurgery

Background:

• Sequential flap coverage is often necessary for post-traumatic soft tissue defects.
• Propeller flaps were developed to minimize donor site morbidity.
• The free-style puzzle flap recycles perforators from a previously harvested flap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel surgical technique, the flip-flap puzzle flap, for cases where perforators are not identifiable with Doppler devices.
• To present the successful application of this technique in treating complex soft tissue defects.

Main Methods:

• The flip-flap puzzle flap combines principles of the free-style puzzle flap and the flip-flap flap.
• This technique involves recycling a previously harvested flap as its own donor site.
• Surgical procedures were performed on three patients with challenging soft tissue defects.

Main Results:

• Complete healing was achieved in all three presented cases.
• The flip-flap puzzle flap proved effective in managing complex post-traumatic soft tissue defects.
• The procedure demonstrated successful reconstruction without requiring a separate donor site.

Conclusions:

• The flip-flap puzzle flap is a viable and effective option for sequential flap coverage when perforators are not detectable.
• This technique offers a solution for complex soft tissue defects, building upon existing reconstructive methods.
• Successful patient outcomes highlight the potential of the flip-flap puzzle flap in reconstructive surgery.