Super Thin Flap from the Viewpoint of Venous Anatomy

Abstract

In reconstructive surgery, a high-quality flap must be planned based on the condition of the skin defects. One type of high-quality flaps is a thin flap, which has superficial fat lobules just under the dermis. A super thin flap is a flap in which most of the superficial fat lobules have been removed. If the fat lobules are reduced preserving the polygonal venous network just under or in the dermis, blood circulation within the super thin flap is guaranteed. The drainage vein following the polygonal venous network becomes a concomitant vein along the nutrient artery of the flap or a large cutaneous vein, which is independent of the nutrient artery. How the drainage vein is treated is important for flap survival. In some cases, a large cutaneous vein is needed to anastomose with a vein at the recipient site.