SIMULTANEOUS TRANSPOSITION OF ANTERIOR THIGH MUSCLE AND FASCIA FLAPS - AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CHIMERA FLAP PRINCIPLE

A compound flap implies that more than a single tissue structure has been linked together to achieve a common purpose. In this sense then, a composite flap is the simplest form of a compound flap because by definition it incorporates multiple tissue types, but the latter are restricted in that the vascularization of all contained parts are interdependent and inseparable if total viability of the unit is to be maintained. More complex compound flaps may have components with separate vascular sources but remain physically attached, or may be fabricated by joining disparate flaps together using microsurgical methods. The chimeric flap, as still another type of compound flap, differs in that its tissue components may be independently maneuvered, remaining ultimately attached together only by some common regional source vessel or plexus. Concurrent, independent local transposition of the anterior thigh fasciocutaneous flap and rectus femoris muscle flap is used to demonstrate the chimera principle where these disparate flaps have been harvested from the same anterior thigh region.