INTERPOLATED FLAPS

Course overview

AN INTERPOLATED FLAP IS A 2-STAGE TISSUE FLAP IN WHICH THE BASE OF THE FLAP IS NOT DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE RECIPIENT DEFECT, AND THE FLAP BRIDGES OVER AN INTERVENING SEGMENT OF NORMAL TISSUE. THESE FLAPS ARE USED WHEN INSUFFICIENT TISSUE OR MOBILITY IN NEARBY SKIN PREVENTS THE COVERAGE OF A SURGICAL DEFECT WITH PRIMARY CLOSURE OR AN ADJACENT FLAP. THIS ACTIVITY EXPLAINS AND DESCRIBES THE TECHNIQUE IN COMMON ANATOMIC AREAS, AND DESCRIBES THE TECHNIQUES, RISKS, AND CONTRAINDICATIONS.