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Facial Plast Surg 2001; 17(4): 289-294
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-18828
Copyright © 2001 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Z-Plasty: A Concise Review

Christopher R. Hove1 , Edwin F. Williams, III2 , Bret J. Rodgers3
  • 1Section of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA
  • 2Section of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY
  • 3Rodgers Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, Boise, ID
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Publication History

Publication Date:
05 December 2001 (online)

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ABSTRACT

One of the most commonly used techniques in facial plastic surgery is the Z-plasty. Main reasons to perform these transposition flaps are to lengthen a pre-existing scar, to camouflage a scar, or to realign a scar. The classic 60° Z-plasty allows a 75% increase in scar length and is the cornerstone against which all variations are compared. Understanding the classic Z-plasty permits the surgeon to expand his or her repertoire to include the numerous variations thereof. The double-opposing Z-plasty, unequal triangle Z-plasty, four-flap Z-plasty, compound Z-plasty, and planimetric Z-plasty are the most frequent variants of the basic Z-plasty. Each are presented with illustrations and clinical indications.

KEYWORD

Z-plasty - transposition flaps - scar revision

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