Wound Bed Preparation Prior to Flap Coverage

INTRODUCTION Preparation of a wound for flap coverage encompasses several aspects of surgical decision making. When addressing an acute or chronic wound, the surgeon must use a tailored approach based on experience, available technology, and patient characteristics. Meticulous debridement of the wound bed is essential to minimize the risk of wound breakdown or flap failure while viability of the flap is a vital part of ensuring successful flap transfer. Figure 1 suggests the decision-making process for operative wound evaluation and debridement where necessary.