27/08/2026
Flap Surgery, is the type of reconstructive/plastic surgery where a piece of tissue—such as skin, fat, muscle, or bone—is moved from one part of the body to another while keeping or reconnecting its blood supply.
Common types of flap surgery
Local flap: Tissue is moved from an area close to the wound.
Regional/pedicled flap: Tissue is moved while remaining attached to its original blood supply.
Free flap: Tissue is completely detached and its blood vessels are surgically connected to vessels at the new site using microsurgery.
Why is flap surgery done?
It can be used to:
Cover large or deep wounds
Reconstruct areas after cancer surgery
Repair severe injuries or burns
Reconstruct the breast, face, limbs, or other body parts
Protect exposed bone, tendon, nerves, or blood vessels
Important: Flap surgery is different from a skin graft. A graft does not carry its own blood supply when transferred; it must develop a new blood supply from the recipient area. A flap carries its blood supply with it or has it reconnected.
Sir Bichi
