Reconstructive Surgery
Flap Reconstruction & Microsurgery
Rebuilding tissue after trauma, cancer surgery, or complex wounds
Overview
Flap reconstruction moves living tissue — skin, muscle, fat, or a combination — from one part of the body to repair a defect elsewhere, often following trauma, tumour removal, or non-healing wounds.
Microsurgical (free flap) techniques allow tissue to be transferred with its own blood supply reconnected under the microscope, expanding what can be reliably reconstructed even in complex cases.
Not every flap requires microsurgery — local and regional flaps, which shift nearby tissue into a defect while keeping its original blood supply intact, cover a large share of everyday reconstructive needs, and are generally simpler and faster to recover from than a free flap; which approach is used depends entirely on how far the needed tissue has to travel and what's available nearby.
Candidacy
Is Flap Reconstruction & Microsurgery Right for You?
- Complex wounds not suitable for simple skin grafting
- Tissue loss following trauma or tumour removal
- Non-healing wounds requiring well-vascularised tissue coverage
- A wound bed too poorly vascularised, or a defect too large, for a graft alone
- Medically fit for a longer reconstructive procedure where microsurgery is involved
What to Expect
Your Journey
- 01
Consultation
Detailed evaluation of the defect and surrounding tissue to plan the most suitable donor site and flap technique, local or free.
- 02
Procedure
Performed under general anaesthesia; free flaps involve reconnecting blood vessels under microscope magnification, while local flaps are moved directly with their blood supply intact.
- 03
Recovery
Close monitoring of the flap's blood supply in the initial days is essential for free flaps, followed by a longer supervised recovery period.
Recovery
Recovery & Aftercare
Recovery is more involved than for simpler procedures, often requiring an inpatient stay initially for free flap microsurgery, with functional and aesthetic results developing over months. Local flap reconstruction generally involves a shorter, less intensive early recovery, though this still depends on the size and location of the defect.
Before & After
Real Cases
Before
AfterGroin Flap
Transposition Flap
PIA flap
Before
AfterYing Yang Flap for Scalp defect
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a flap and a skin graft?
A skin graft relies on the wound bed for its blood supply, while a flap brings its own blood supply — making it suitable for more complex or poorly vascularised wounds.
Is this considered a major operation?
Free flap microsurgery is, requiring specialised training and close post-operative monitoring; local flap reconstruction is often more moderate in scale, though still more involved than a simple graft.
How long is the hospital stay?
This varies with the complexity of reconstruction, and will be discussed individually based on your specific case.
What is a microvascular surgeon?
This describes a surgeon with specific training in reconnecting small blood vessels under the microscope — the skill that makes free flap transfer possible, distinct from the broader category of flap surgery generally.
How is the flap monitored after surgery?
For free flaps in particular, the flap's colour, warmth, and blood flow are checked frequently in the first days after surgery, since this early period is when the reconnected blood supply is most vulnerable.
More on Flap Reconstruction & Microsurgery
Have Questions About Flap Reconstruction & Microsurgery?
Every case is different. Get in touch to discuss your situation, or keep reading for more on candidacy, recovery, and what to expect.
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