The horn shaped fascio-cutaneous flap usage in cutaneous malignancy of the leg

• Published in: British journal of plastic surgery 2004, Vol.57 (1), p.66-76
• Main Authors: Georgeu, G.A, El-Muttardi, N
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Basal cell carcinoma (BCC); Carcinoma, Basal Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Basal Cell - surgery; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - surgery; Fascio-cutaneous flap; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Full thickness graft (FTG); Horn-shaped flap; Humans; Leg - surgery; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - methods; Skin Neoplasms - pathology; Skin Neoplasms - surgery; Split skin graft (SSG); Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC); Surgical Flaps
• ISSN: 0007-1226; 1465-3087
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2003.10.013

The cover of defects in the leg is a surgical challenge, especially in the elderly patient. We report our experience in 24 patients, who underwent excision of a cutaneous malignancy and subsequent cover of the defect with a horn shaped fascio-cutaneous flap. The patients' average age was 77 with a range of 61–89 years. The average size of the defect covered was 4×4 cm, with a range from 3×3 to 8×8 cm. There were no flap losses. Two complications presented following discharge from hospital, one required further surgery. These findings indicate that this technically simple flap is reliable, with a low complication rate (8%), and produces an aesthetic result. It provides an alternative to split skin grafting for cutaneous malignancy defects of the leg.