Free flaps: an overview.

The free flap represents a dramatic one-stage procedure for distant transfer of skin flaps. The operative technique consists of: identification of healthy recipient vessels; isolation of viable island skin flap; distant transfer followed by revascularization via microvascular anastomoses. New techniques warrant classification of free tissue transfers into single tissue transfers (skin, muscle, bone, nerve) and compound tissue transfers (osteocutaneous, musculocutaneous). When compared to conventional techniques, free flap transfers offer shorter hospitalization and immobilization as well as a greater reconstructive potential. However, their utilization mandates extensive experience in multiple microvascular techniques and clinical microsurgery.