The Reappraisal of the Slide-Swing Skin Flap: A Versatile Technique for Surgical Defects

Abstract

Background The slide-swing skin flap is a combination of transposition and adjacent skin sliding and can be used to close large, round defects with a flap that is smaller than the primary defect to produce aesthetically good results. Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the slide-swing skin flap for various surgical defects caused by skin tumor excisions. Methods This retrospective case series, which includes 33 Asian patients between the ages of 25 and 86 years, describes the slide-swing skin flap after primary excision for malignant or premalignant skin conditions. The outcomes were assessed 12 weeks after surgery using the patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS). Results Patients were 25 male and 8 female, and the causes of surgery were various malignant skin tumors including malignant melanoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, and malignant nodular hidradenoma. Tumors were on the lower limb in eleven patients, back in nine patients, chest in five patients, face in three patients, buttock in three patients and two patients had tumors in other locations. The mean defect size was 3.5×3.1±1.9×2.2 cm (range, 1.4×0.9~9.0×12.0 cm). The mean patient POSAS total score was 9.7±3.0 and mean patient overall opinion score was 1.8±0.7. The mean observer POSAS total score was 11.0±2.7 and mean observer overall opinion score was 1.9±0.5. All flaps survived and postoperative recoveries were uneventful. Conclusion The slide-swing skin flap is highly versatile and can be used to cover various surgical defects, irrespective of size and location, with excellent functional and cosmetic results.

An analysis of complication rates and the influence on patient satisfaction and cosmetic outcomes following oncoplastic breast surgery

“…11,14 For volume replacement, the TDAP flap or bilobed swing flap was used. 10,15 Complications and definitions All complications were collected in a prospective manner. Postoperative complications (seroma, hematoma, surgical site infection (SSI), wound dehiscence, necrosis) were graded according to Clavien-Dindo (CD).…”