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Applying the keystone flap to cover soft tissue defects in plastic surgery
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Abstract
Background: The keystone flap is an effective technique for reconstructive surgery that restores the natural contour of the affected area and provides superior aesthetic results. This technique involves taking healthy skin and subcutaneous tissue from a nearby area and transplanting it to the site of the defect, creating a new skin area that meets the patient’s ideal outcome.
Objective: Analyze the characteristics of skin abnormalities on the body and to assess the surgical outcomes of using keystone flaps to repair defects.
Subjects and methods: 50 patients with soft tissue defects throughout the body who underwent surgical treatment using keystone flap coverage from 2021 to 2024 at the Orthopedic and Plastic Surgery Center, Hue Central Hospital.
Results: 50 patients (29 men and 21 women) with average age at 54.26 ± 20.89 years. Indications for reconstruction included infectious necrosis (40%), followed by chronic ulcerative lesions (30%), trauma (14%), scar excision (12%) and others (4%). Out of the 50 cases, 46 (92%) showed Good results base on Oberlin.C and Duparc.J criteria. There were 4 cases (8%) with Fair results, including 3 cases with flap hypertrophy,1 case with incisional dehiscence. No Poor case was reported.
Conclusion: The keystone flap is a modern method in plastic surgery that has proven to be a useful tool. The authors strongly recommend the use of the keystone technique as a safe, reliable, and feasible approach to covering soft tissue defects that vary in clinical characteristics.
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Keywords
Keystone flaps, plastic surgery, soft tissue defects
References
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