ABSTRACT
The term ‘‘reconstruction’’ implies a restoration of form and function. Because many postsurgical and traumatic conditions result in loss of tissue, restoration of form and function frequently requires replacement of the lost tissue. Two general categories of tissue are used in reconstruction: flaps and grafts. Grafts may be composed of any kind of tissue (skin, cartilage, fat, etc.), but all are devoid of an active, functioning blood supply. Flaps, in contrast, carry their own blood supply and therefore have the advantage of bringing tissue and blood supply to an area that is deficient in both.
