Geometric limit of multiple local Limberg flaps: a flap design.

Abstract

The Limberg rhombic flap is a reliable and widely used technique in head and neck surgery. Since Limberg introduced his original design in 1946, several modifications of the technique have been described. Although a single Limberg flap is frequently used at the face to close small to medium defects, multi-Limberg flap techniques can help the surgeon to cover moderate to large defects of the extremities, trunk, and back. In this study, a design of four neighboring local Limberg flaps to cover a moderate to large defect without using a skin graft is introduced. It is believed that this design is the geometric limit of multiple Limberg flaps that can entirely cover a single large rhombic defect, because one Limberg flap unit can only be adjoined by three others, one from the tip and two from the sides. This flap design of four local Limberg flaps is also the only geometrically possible design that can keep all the bases of these four flaps free of incisions if one attempts to prepare four small Limberg flaps around a large rhombic defect.