The V-Y advancement flap has been widely used for the reconstruction of cutaneous defects.
However, direct closure is impossible without undue tension. To overcome this limitation, the present
study introduces a modified design of V-Y advancement flap with two horns and assesses its clinical
outcome for facial reconstruction. From June, 2009 through June, 2010, twelve cases of skin tumors
were surgically excised and reconstructed with this modified V-Y flap. Defects were located in
nasolabial, nasojugal fold, cheek and lower eyelid region. Modified V-Y advancement flap was
designed with lateral limbs like horns of V-flap and two horns were extended to the end point of the
defect. Design and movement of this flap was demonstrated with photographs and the clinical
outcome was described. All flaps survived with primary healing. The follow-up period ranged from 1
month to 12 months with a mean of 5.5 months. Neither short-term nor long-term postoperative
complications such as flap necrosis, hematoma, infection were noted. All twelve patients were
pleased with their postoperative results and no recurrence of malignant skin tumor was observed.
This modified V-Y advancement flap with two horns is a safe, easy, versatile and reliable method for
functional and esthetic reconstruction of facial defects.
(J Korean Soc Aesthetic Plast Surg 16: 171, 2010)