[Indications for free transplants for scar correction in the area of the head and neck].

Three different operating techniques can be used for scar-correction: Linear Revision-techniques as simple excisions, W-plasties, broken-line-technique. Regional flaps as Z-plasty, VY-plasty, rhomboid flaps. Both are suitable for correcting the size and direction of scars. They are mainly used for cosmetically (e. g. relatively) indicated corrections. Free grafts. A scar causing functional disability usually represents an absolute indication for surgery, such as scarring defects, shrinking scars, keloids as well as the scar carcinoma. Typical indications for scar correction using free grafts in the head and neck area are discussed in the present paper. Different methods of choice are full skin grafts, split skin grafts, composite grafts and free transplants using microvascular anastomosis. This techniques do not normally achieve a satisfactory result from a cosmetic point of view but only the functional rehabilitation of the patient.