title: Pedicled flaps in reconstructive surgery.
abstract: An audit was conducted of pedicled flaps used in reconstructive surgery in Trinidad from 1983 to 2000. This consisted of 65 flaps. There were four cases of partial flap necrosis: three involving tram flaps and the other involving the metacarpal artery flap. There were no cases of total flap loss. Pedicled flap coverage provides immediate closure of potentially difficult wounds. This early cover reduces the risk of infection as a result of increasing the blood supply and providing a physical barrier. This contributes to a shorter hospital stay and earlier rehabilitation. Our present team approach with the inclusion of a reconstructive surgeon now allows for uncompromised débridement in trauma and oncological resection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Port of Spain General Hospital, Trinidad and Tobago, WI.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ragbir
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ramdass
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Romany
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mohammed
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Naraynsingh
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago