Pacman flap method

Plast Reconstr Surg. 2007 May;119(6):1799-1802. doi: 10.1097/01.prs.0000246593.67506.2b.

Abstract

Background: The V-Y flap is a well-known method for closure of round skin defects. However, with conventional V-Y flaps, it is sometimes difficult to advance the flap sufficiently, especially where there is a lack of subcutaneous tissue. Thus, the authors have devised a new technique named after a famous Japanese video game.

Method: The flap design is almost the same as a conventional V-Y flap. Instead of cutting off the two triangular parts of the V flap, those two parts are rotated and advanced to meet at the center of the defect.

Results: The authors have operated on 18 patients with this method, and in all the cases, the flap survived completely. No secondary surgery was required to correct dog-ear deformity.

Conclusions: This method is easy and can be applied in many situations. The authors conclude that this can be the first choice for closing circular skin defects.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cohort Studies
  • Esthetics
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Graft Survival
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures / methods
  • Risk Assessment
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Skin Transplantation / methods*
  • Surgical Flaps*
  • Suture Techniques
  • Wound Healing / physiology