[The rhomboid flap: fundamentals for technical planning, variations and clinical applications (author's transl)].

The rhomboid flap was initially described by Limberg and was later modified by Dufourmentel as well as by a number of American clinicians. The flap can be an effective method for closing facial skin defects with good color and texture matches. Although the flap requires geometric planning, a minimum of scarring is possible by creating "zig-zag" lines in relaxed skin tension lines after closing the defect. Details of variations of the flap and their practical uses are described.