A ‘modified’ keystone flap in a single–surgeon case series: A new design in 32 patients

Journal of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa

 
 
Field Value
 
Title A ‘modified’ keystone flap in a single–surgeon case series: A new design in 32 patients
 
Creator Isaacs, Samuel J. Adams, Saleigh
 
Subject — flap; plastic surgery; reconstruction; keystone flap; case series; modification; keystone perforator flap
Description Introduction: The keystone island flap was described in 2003 by Dr Felix Behan. The design is a curvilinear, trapezoidal random perforator island flap with 4 classic subtypes (I–IV). It was named ‘keystone’ as it is identical in shape to the central pillar (keystone) used in architecture. It has shown its versatility in the closure of complex skin defects and wounds as an alternative to skin grafts and other reconstruction options (pedicled, transposition or rotation-advancement flaps). This case series reviews the practical design, use and applications of a ‘modified flap’. The key modification is the use of only lateral limb fasciotomy incisions to the keystone flap.Patients’ presentation: A retrospective single–surgeon case series (32 patients), each of whom underwent the ‘modified’ technique. Data were obtained from folder review on consenting adults who underwent surgery (01 January 2018 to 01 January 2022). Permission was obtained telephonically, and data were captured in a standardised sheet and electronically. Approval was granted by the ethical review board.Management and outcome: Defects (4 cm2 – 72 cm2) were reconstructed in adults (21–94 years). The most common site was the lower limb (23/32). There were two minor cases of epidermolysis and no flap loss (100% success rate).Conclusion: The ‘modified’ keystone flap is versatile and reliable with applications in multiple sites as a reconstructive tool.Contribution: The authors propose a modification to the existing system to include a Type IIC with the ‘modified’ design.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor Mrs Karen Isaacs figures and illustrations
Date 2025-05-23
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — —
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/jcmsa.v3i1.189
 
Source Journal of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa; Vol 3, No 1 (2025); 6 pages 2960-110X 3105-4331
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://jcmsa.org.za/index.php/jcmsa/article/view/189/554 https://jcmsa.org.za/index.php/jcmsa/article/view/189/555 https://jcmsa.org.za/index.php/jcmsa/article/view/189/556 https://jcmsa.org.za/index.php/jcmsa/article/view/189/557
 
Coverage — — —
Rights Copyright (c) 2025 Samuel J. Isaacs, Saleigh Adams https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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