What minor flap surgery?
Skin flap surgery is a surgical procedure that is used to close a large or complicated wound after the removal of a skin cancer. It involves partially detaching a piece of skin near the wound, and moving it to cover the affected area. Minor flap surgery typically heals faster than a skin graft.
Why do I need minor flap surgery?
Minor flap surgery is commonly used after the removal of a skin cancer or similar surgical procedure. It aims to repair the open wound left in your skin after a cancer has been cut out. Dr. Ozmen will talk to you about your own specific needs and why minor skin flap surgery is being recommended for you.
Unlike a skin graft procedure which usually takes skin from a different part of your body, minor flap surgery uses skin that is close to the site of the wound. This ensures that the skin is similar to what was originally there. Flaps are known to heal faster than skin grafts in most cases.
What happens during minor flap surgery?
Minor skin flap surgery can be done under a local anaesthetic which means that you will be awake but numb or general anaesthetic. In most cases, your surgeon may choose to repair your skin at the same time as he or she removes the skin cancer.
What is the cost of minor flap surgery?
Minor flap surgery is performed in both public and private hospitals. If you choose to have your procedure in a private hospital, a portion of the cost may be covered by your private health insurance. It’s a good idea to discuss this with your insurance provider.
Please contact the Sydney GI Surgery team to discuss your needs and for an accurate assessment of the cost involved.
What are the risks of minor flap surgery?
Minor flap surgery is a safe procedure, however, like all surgeries complications can arise. The most common complications include:
- Adverse reaction to the anaesthetic agent
- Blood clots
- Cardiac and pulmonary complications
- Changes in skin sensation
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Pain
- Poor wound healing
- Skin or fat necrosis (tissue death)
- Swelling or fluid accumulation
- Scarring and/or skin discoloration
Recovery from minor flap surgery
After surgery, your doctor will give you clear instructions on how to care for your wound. These instructions will include how to keep the area clean and dry and how to keep the dressing (bandage) in place. Your doctor or nurse may need to change the dressing for you if it becomes wet.
You will probably be advised to take the following steps in order to best care for your wound:
- Avoid stretching or bumping the wound
- Avoid getting the area wet
- Rest for up to a week to allow yourself to heal
Skin flap surgery will leave a small scar, however, your surgeon will work hard to minimise this. It’s a good idea to talk to your surgeon about what to expect immediately after surgery and how long your wound will take to heal.
