Reconstruction: Flaps, grafts, and other closures

Abstract

Flaps and grafts have been used for facial reconstruction for centuries. For a dermatologic surgeon, there are many methods available for closing surgical defects. The methods range from simple side-to-side closure to more advanced closures that involve adjacent tissue transfer. In deciding the method for closure, the dermatologic surgeon must consider the patient, the type of tumor, the location of the wound, and the local tissue characteristics and availability.