Closing the gap: skin grafts and flaps

Wounds occur via a multitude of causal mechanisms, and vary greatly in their nature. Therefore, reconstructing such defects requires meticulous consideration of the patient and wound. Conservative measures are sometimes sufficient for healing, but some wounds will benefit from surgical reconstruction. Knowledge of the human vascular network, in particular within the fascia, subcutaneous tissue and skin, permits an understanding of the use of one’s own tissue to help heal another body site. Skin grafts are simple thin sections of tissue that lack their own blood supply, and are transferred from one site on the body to another. Flaps, however, are composite blocks of tissue that contain their own blood supply and can be moved locally, regionally, distantly or freely to the desired site. This article reviews the use of skin grafts and flaps in aiding wound closure.