MOHS MICROGRAPHIC SURGERY DESIGN AND EXECUTION OF ADVANCEMENT FLAPS

Course overview

MOHS MICROGRAPHIC SURGERY OF THE HEAD AND NECK RESULTS IN SEEMINGLY COUNTLESS DEFECTS THAT OFTEN REQUIRE COMPLEX CLOSURES DUE TO THE LIMITED AMOUNT OF SKIN LAXITY OR REDUNDANCY IN THESE AREAS. SURGICAL ADVANCEMENT FLAPS CAN FACILITATE THE REPAIR OF DEFECTS THAT CANNOT BE CLOSED LINEARLY DUE TO SUBOPTIMAL FUNCTION OR COSMESIS. ADVANCEMENT FLAPS OFFER VARIOUS CLOSURE METHODS FOR LARGE DEFECTS IN A SAFE, EFFECTIVE, REPRODUCIBLE, AND OFTEN STRAIGHTFORWARD WAY. DESPITE THE POTENTIAL INCREASE IN THE REQUIRED POSTOPERATIVE WOUND CARE, THE IMPROVEMENT IN FUNCTION AND COSMESIS RESULTING FROM THE ADVANCEMENT FLAP TECHNIQUE INCREASES POSTPROCEDURAL PATIENT SATISFACTION. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE UTILITY OF THE ADVANCEMENT FLAP ALONG WITH ITS INDICATIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS. THE ACTIVITY ALSO ADDRESSES THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM WHEN CARING FOR PATIENTS WHO UNDERGO AN ADVANCEMENT FLAP DURING MOHS MICROGRAPHIC SURGERY.