The modified bilateral advancement flap.
BACKGROUND
Bilateral advancement flaps are commonly used in the closure of circular skin defects because of their ease of execution and satisfactory result. However, the limited sliding capacity of these flaps has always been a problem.


OBJECTIVE
The modified bilateral advancement flap maximizes the amount of tissue that can be brought into the defect. It relies on both advancement and transposition principles and borrows tissue from two planes. Thus the length of the flap could be shortened for increased flap survival.


METHODS
Bilateral transposition flaps are created from tissue on both sides of the wound. These are then approximated and sutured together to form a single, new tip (apex), which is then advanced and sutured into the concave base of the opposing advancement flap at its midpoint.


RESULTS
The modified bilateral advancement flap has been used effectively to close defects in the temporal, cheek, forehead, and lower eyelid, among 11 patients, providing a well-contoured and aesthetically pleasing reconstruction.


CONCLUSIONS
This method extends the capacity of the bilateral advancement flap to reconstruct and improves its applications and advantages.
Harahap
M
M
Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, Rumah Sakit Adam Malik, Medan, Indonesia.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome