title: Pivot point and secondary defect problems with rotation flaps.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our goal was to evaluate 2 design properties, pivot point and secondary defect, that affect the results of rotation flaps used to treat skin cancer defects of the head and neck.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective review of the last 50 patients who underwent rotation flaps for closure of skin cancer defects on the head and neck with regard to postoperative complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four patients experienced complications, all of which were managed to an acceptable conclusion. These complications included tip necrosis and ectropion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rotation flaps, although simple in design, are often modified during their execution. Understanding the basic design and possible modifications of pivot point and secondary defect will yield a successful outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, John Peter Smith Hospital, Forth Worth, TX, USA. drzide@facialoralsurg.com
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Zide
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Topper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D004483:Ectropion / Q000209:etiology; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D018327:Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome