Gracilis Tissue Transfer

The first “flaps” of record date back to 600 BC when Sushruta Samita utilized local-regional flaps for nasal reconstruction. While a graft lives off of the nutrients from a wound bed, a flap is harvested with its own blood supply. Orticochea first described the gracilis flap as a pedicled myocutaneous flap in 1972. His work was expanded upon, and in 1972 Harri published a series of free gracilis flaps for various soft tissue injuries. Since then, the gracilis muscle flap has become one of the “workhorse” flaps for reconstructive surgeons. Because of its reliable pedicle, versatile nature, and low donor site morbidity, the gracilis flap can be utilized for an array of soft tissue defects.