Outcome of flap surgeries in dermatosurgical unit at a tertiary care centre in India with a review of literature

Introduction: Flap surgeries are an excellent choice for closing large defects following trauma, excision of carcinomas or removal of large lesions. This article is a prospective interventional study of various flap surgeries performed at a tertiary care centre with their outcome in dermatosurgical unit. Materials and Methods: A total of 35 flap surgeries performed from January 2012 to December 2014 formed part of the study. Data were recorded for each case including age, sex, indications and type of flap surgery and any occurrence of complications. Results: Out of the 35 patients, basal cell carcinoma was the most common indication for surgery in 22 patients, followed by Bowen's disease in five, dermatofibroma in three and porocarcinoma in two. Other indications were squamous cell carcinoma, tuberous xanthoma, myxoid cyst and nevus sebaceous. Rhomboid flap and rotaion flap were done in 12 patients each, V-Y plasty in three patients, advancement flap, crescentic advancement flap and O-Z plasty were done in two patients each, O-Z plasty was done in two patients, A-T plasty and H plasty were done in one patient each. Common complications observed were flap necrosis seen in three patients and one patient developed hematoma on the second post-operative day, hypertrophic scar in one case and recurrence of BCC. Conclusion: Malignant and pre-malignant lesions were common indications in our study. Excellent outcome of flap surgeries promises to be a birdie stroke in the armamentarium of dermatosurgeons.