Incisions can be hidden well in relaxed skin-tension lines or in borders of facial aesthetic units. The advancement flap is one of many techniques available to close skin defects of the head and neck. Often, a given defect may be closed in more than one way, and talented surgeons may disagree. Current research topics include the role of vasodilating agents, antiplatelet drugs, and hyperbaric oxygen. These research areas will probably improve techniques or provide agents to increase flap survival.
Photograph shows advancement flap incisions, with lesion to be excised.
Photograph shows advancement flap incisions with skin defect. Photograph shows a flap advanced with creation of dog-ears. Photograph shows advancement flap with dog-ear excised using Burow triangles. Photograph shows final appearance of advancement flap repair using Burow triangles to correct dog-ears. The V-shaped flap is advanced in the opposite direction and then closed.