title: Aesthetic and functional considerations in the reconstruction of large skin defects with free flaps.
abstract: Free flaps can be used effectively in the primary reconstruction of large defects after resection of large tumors. The ultimate goal is radical excision of tumors and achievement of primary wound healing with a single procedure and long-term local control of disease. Although this can be obtained with the use of free tissue transfer, patients often seek more aesthetic results. Therefore, refinements of reconstructive techniques with minimal functional donor site morbidity are now the gold standard in our practice.
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Department, Gent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000, Gent, Belgium. moustapha.hamdi@rug.ac.be
authors.forename: Moustapha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamdi
authors.forename: Koenraad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van Landuyt
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blondeel
authors.forename: Stan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Monstrey
mesh_terms: D004954:Esthetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps