ABSTRACT
A flap is a unit of tissue that is transferred or transplanted with intact circulation. Since the 1980s many studies have emerged with various flaps and techniques. Reconstructive surgeons are no longer restricted to skin flaps but a wide array of flaps including composite flaps. The atlas of skin flaps outlines the arterial origin, course, size, density, and interconnections of the cutaneous perforators. The initial work describing the anatomy, principles, and clinical applications of the muscle flap was done by Ger from 1966 to 1972. Utilizing a particular muscle for coverage may cause a significant functional deficit that is worse than the original defect. G. C. Cormack classified fasciocutaneous flaps according to their patterns of vascularity, thus becoming the more commonly used flaps. There are numerous systems for the classification of flaps, which have evolved into three significant groups: method of movement, blood supply, and composition.
