A transposition flap is a surgical technique that moves nearby skin and soft tissue to cover a wound or defect. The tissue is lifted on its blood supply and rotated or “swung” over an area of intact skin into the defect. It is most commonly used in reconstructive surgery (for example after skin cancer removal or trauma). It can also be used in cosmetic-oriented repairs where scar placement and contour are important.
A rotation flap is a **surgical** method of closing a wound or defect using nearby skin and soft tissue. The tissue is lifted and **rotated** into the defect while staying attached at one side to preserve blood supply. It is commonly used in **reconstructive plastic surgery** and is also relevant in cosmetically sensitive areas like the face. Its goal is to replace “like with like” by moving adjacent tissue rather than importing distant tissue.
An advancement flap is a surgical method that moves nearby skin and soft tissue straight forward to cover a wound or defect. It is a type of “local flap,” meaning the tissue comes from an area directly adjacent to the site being repaired. It is used in both reconstructive and cosmetic-focused surgery to restore contour, symmetry, and function. It is commonly discussed in facial reconstruction (including after skin cancer removal) and in closure of surgical defects elsewhere on the body.
A local flap is a piece of nearby tissue that is moved to cover or repair a defect while staying attached to its original blood supply. It is created by making planned incisions and repositioning skin and/or deeper tissue into an adjacent wound. Local flap surgery is used in both reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery to restore shape, function, or skin coverage. It is commonly discussed in facial reconstruction (such as after skin cancer removal) and in repair of traumatic or surgical wounds.
A composite graft is a piece of tissue transferred from one body area to another that contains more than one tissue type, such as skin plus cartilage. It is placed without a dedicated blood vessel connection, so it must “take” by receiving nutrients from the surrounding recipient site. In plastic surgery, composite graft is used in both reconstructive and cosmetic settings, especially for small, structurally complex areas like the nose, ear, and eyelid.
A full-thickness skin graft is a piece of skin that includes the entire epidermis and the full dermis. It is moved from a donor site to cover a defect at a separate recipient site. It is used in reconstructive surgery and, in selected cases, cosmetic surgery to restore skin coverage and contour. It is most commonly used for smaller defects where color, texture, and durability matter.
A split-thickness skin graft is a surgical transfer of the top layers of skin from one area of the body to another. It includes the epidermis and a portion of the dermis. It is commonly used in reconstructive surgery to cover wounds that cannot be closed directly. It can also be used in selected cosmetic and scar-revision contexts when skin coverage is needed.
A skin graft is a piece of skin moved from one area of the body to another to cover a wound or defect. It is most often used when skin is missing and cannot be closed with stitches alone. In plastic surgery, it is used in both reconstructive care (repair after injury or cancer) and some cosmetic contexts (restoring skin coverage and contour). The transferred skin must “take” by attaching to the new site and establishing a blood supply.
nipple-areola reconstruction is a set of techniques used to recreate the nipple and the darker surrounding skin (the areola) on the breast. It is most commonly performed after breast cancer surgery (such as mastectomy) as a finishing stage of breast reconstruction. It can also be used in selected cosmetic or corrective situations to improve nipple-areola appearance, position, or symmetry. Reconstruction may involve surgery, medical tattooing (micropigmentation), prosthetics, or a combination.
tissue expansion is a reconstructive technique that helps the body create extra skin and soft tissue over time. It typically uses a temporary device placed under the skin to gradually stretch it in a controlled way. It is used in reconstructive plastic surgery and, in selected situations, cosmetic surgery planning. The goal is to generate tissue that closely matches the color, texture, and thickness of nearby skin.
A tissue expander is a temporary, implantable device designed to gradually stretch skin and soft tissue. It is commonly placed surgically under the skin and then slowly filled over time to create additional tissue. It is used in both reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery, often as a staged approach before a final procedure.
implant-based breast reconstruction is a reconstructive breast surgery that restores breast shape and volume using a medical implant. It is most often performed after mastectomy for breast cancer treatment or risk reduction. It can be done at the time of mastectomy or in a later, separate operation. It is a reconstructive procedure (not purely cosmetic), though cosmetic principles like symmetry and proportion are central to planning.
A latissimus dorsi flap is a surgical technique that moves tissue from the upper back to another area of the body. It commonly includes skin, fat, and sometimes part of the latissimus dorsi muscle, carried on its blood supply. It is widely used in reconstructive surgery, especially breast reconstruction, and may also be used in other soft-tissue repairs. In select situations, it can support cosmetic goals such as restoring contour or symmetry after previous surgery or injury.
TRAM flap reconstruction is a surgical breast reconstruction technique that uses tissue from the lower abdomen to create a breast mound. “TRAM” refers to the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap, meaning skin, fat, and some abdominal muscle are transferred. It is most commonly used after mastectomy as reconstructive surgery, and it may also be used in complex revision cases.
DIEP flap breast reconstruction is a surgical breast reconstruction that uses skin and fat from the lower abdomen to create a breast mound. It preserves the abdominal muscles by using perforator blood vessels (the “DIEP” vessels) to keep the transferred tissue alive. It is most commonly used for reconstructive breast surgery after mastectomy, and can be used on one or both sides. It can be performed alone or, in selected cases, as part of a combined approach with other reconstructive methods.
free flap reconstruction is a surgical method that moves living tissue from one part of the body to another. The transferred tissue keeps its own blood supply, which is reconnected to new blood vessels using microsurgery. It is most often used in reconstructive plastic surgery after cancer, trauma, or complex wounds. In selected settings, it can also support aesthetic goals by restoring shape, symmetry, and contour.
Microsurgical reconstruction is a type of reconstructive surgery that uses an operating microscope and very fine instruments to repair or reconnect tiny blood vessels and nerves. It is commonly used to transfer living tissue (skin, fat, muscle, and sometimes bone) to rebuild areas affected by cancer surgery, trauma, or congenital differences. It is primarily reconstructive, but it can also support aesthetic goals such as improved symmetry and contour after major tissue loss. The defining feature is “microvascular” work: joining small arteries and veins to keep transferred tissue healthy.
carpal tunnel release is a surgical procedure that reduces pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. It works by opening the tissue band that forms the “roof” of the carpal tunnel. It is commonly used in hand and plastic surgery to improve nerve-related symptoms and hand function. It is considered primarily reconstructive and functional rather than cosmetic.
nerve repair is a surgical approach used to reconnect or reconstruct an injured nerve. Its goal is to help restore nerve signaling for sensation, movement, or both. It is used in reconstructive plastic surgery and may also be relevant after cosmetic procedures when a nerve is injured.
tendon repair is a surgical procedure that reconnects or reattaches a damaged tendon so it can transmit muscle force to a joint or bone again. It is most commonly performed after tendon cuts (lacerations) or ruptures from trauma or sports injuries. In plastic and reconstructive surgery, tendon repair is often part of hand, wrist, and forearm reconstruction where function and appearance are closely linked. It may also be used alongside other repairs (skin, nerve, vessel, or bone) after complex injuries.