MOHS MICROGRAPHIC SURGERY DESIGN AND EXECUTION OF PEDICLE FLAPS

Course overview

WHEN PERFORMING MOHS MICROGRAPHIC SURGERY, A PLETHORA OF CLOSURE TECHNIQUES ARE USED THAT WILL PRESERVE THE FUNCTIONAL AND COSMETIC UNITS OF THE FACE. AN ISLAND PEDICLE FLAP IS A FORM OF ADVANCEMENT FLAP THAT DIFFERS FROM TRADITIONAL ADVANCEMENT FLAPS IN THAT IT PRIMARILY USES THE VASCULAR SUPPLY FROM SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE TO PREVENT FLAP FAILURE. AS SUCH, INDICATIONS FOR USING THE ISLAND PEDICLE FLAP MAY INCLUDE CLOSING DEFECTS IN AREAS VULNERABLE TO ISCHEMIA OR IN AREAS WHERE THE SURGEON NEEDS TO PRESERVE THE TENSION VECTORS CREATED BY THE DEFECT. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE TECHNIQUE REQUIRED TO CLOSE A DEFECT WITH THE ISLAND PEDICLE ADVANCEMENT FLAP AND THE BENEFITS AND POTENTIAL PITFALLS OF USING THIS FLAP IN CLOSING DEFECTS ON THE HEAD AND NECK.