Skin Procedure
How Skin Flap Surgery Works?
Are you considering skip flap surgery at Erina Skin Cancer Clinic? The procedure involves several different techniques to move and manipulate your body tissues. Before any surgery takes place, our trusted skin cancer doctors will consult you regarding your needs. They will explain in detail what happens before, during, and after surgery.
More and more patients prefer skin flap surgery than any other forms of plastic surgery. As such, it pays to know what you can benefit from this medical procedure and how it works.
Understanding Skin Flap Surgery
Here in our skin cancer clinic in NSW, we use skin flap surgery to treat open fractures and larger wounds, and in some cases, to enhance cleft lip and palate. During the procedure, our skin cancer doctors transfer a living piece of tissue from one part of your body to another, including the blood vessels that keep the tissue alive.
For the most part, the skin remains partially attached to the body, which creates a “flap.” Then, experts reposition and stitch the flap over the damaged area.
In more complex cases, experts often use a technique called “free flap.” This is where experts disconnect a piece of skin and the blood vessels supplying it from the original blood supply. Then, they reconnect the tiny blood vessels at a new site through microsurgery (which as the name suggests, is a surgery that uses a microscope).
Experts often use free flap when large areas of specific tissue types need reconstruction. Depending on the size of the flap and its location, the operation may take either place under general or local anaesthetic.
Skin flap surgery maintains the blood supply of the repaired area. When you consider this form of plastic surgery, there is a lower risk of the repair failing than a skin graft.
Knowing How Flap Surgery Works
Our facilities and doctors are experts in all techniques of skin biopsies and skin cancer removal, including standard surgical excision, flap repair, skin grafts, and others.
Flap Surgery
Biopsy
There are two main types of skin biopsies for skin samples from the surface of your skin: shave biopsy and punch biopsy. We will use the sample taken from a skin biopsy to diagnose or rule out certain skin conditions and diseases.
- Shave Biopsy – The doctor uses a tool similar to a razor to remove a small section of the top layers of skin.
- Punch Biopsy – The doctor will use a circular tool to remove a small section of skin including deeper layers.
Excision
- Surgical Excision – The doctor will use a small knife (scalpel) to remove an entire lump or an area of abnormal skin.
- Flap Repair - Flap surgery involves transporting healthy, live tissue from one location of the body to another, often to areas that have lost skin, fat, muscle movement, and/or skeletal support. The local flap is located next to the wound; the skin remains attached at one end so that the blood supply is left intact.
Before And After
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BCC excision with an island flap by Dr Andy WonBefore And After
BCC excision on left cheek by Dr Andy WonBefore And After
Wedge Excision of BCC by Dr Andy Won
Reach Us Out to Book an Appointment!
With skin flap surgery and the help of our skin cancer doctors, you will be able to restore form and function to areas of your body that have lost skin. Visit our clinic for a skin cancer check, and we will identify any complications you may have.
For other medical concerns, you can visit the Erina Medical Centre for peace of mind.
