The use of V-Y advancement flaps for closure of pretibial skin defects after excision of cutaneous lesions.

Abstract

We retrospectively analyzed 88 consecutive V-Y flap closures of pretibial surgical defects of up to 45 mm in diameter. Eight percent of patients developed wound infection, which showed a significant association with antihypertensive use. No bleeding complications were experienced in any of the patients, including 40 patients on antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy. Health care costs were calculated as far less than those for patients treated with split skin grafting because of shorter hospital stay and fewer dressing visits. V-Y flap closure is a safe and reliable technique and is a superior alternative to split skin grafting in appropriate defects in the pretibial area.