Avoiding Skin Grafts: The Keystone Flap in Cutaneous Defects

Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015 Aug;136(2):404-408. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000001449.

Abstract

The Keystone Design Perforator Island Flap is a fasciocutaneous perforator flap resembling two end-to-end VY flaps. We used a modification of the original design to avoid extending the incision into an elliptical pattern, and maintained a trailing skin bridge whilst incising fascia in a tunneling fashion. Thirty patients underwent 32 flaps mainly on the lower leg to close defects that would traditionally require skin grafting. All flaps survived completely, with minor complications in four patients. All but five patients were allowed unrestricted ambulation after surgery. The modified design is straightforward to learn, has reliable perfusion, and provides a simpler recovery for patients.

Clinical questions/level of evidence: Therapeutic, IV.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cohort Studies
  • Databases, Factual
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Free Tissue Flaps / blood supply*
  • Free Tissue Flaps / transplantation
  • Graft Rejection
  • Graft Survival
  • Humans
  • Lower Extremity
  • Male
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Melanoma / surgery*
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocutaneous Flap / blood supply*
  • Myocutaneous Flap / transplantation
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Skin Transplantation
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Wound Healing / physiology
  • Young Adult