Flap meaning

A flap is a flexible piece of material that can be lifted up or folded back.


Flap definitions

Word backwards palf
Part of speech The word "flap" can be both a noun (e.g. the flap of a door) and a verb (e.g. the bird flapped its wings).
Syllabic division The syllable separation of the word "flap" is "flap."
Plural The plural of the word "flap" is "flaps."
Total letters 4
Vogais (1) a
Consonants (3) f,l,p

When it comes to surgical procedures, a flap is a piece of tissue that is still attached to the body by a blood vessel and is moved from one site to another while keeping its blood supply intact. Flaps are commonly used in reconstructive surgeries to cover wounds, restore lost tissue, or improve function.

Types of Flaps

There are various types of flaps used in surgical procedures, including local flaps, regional flaps, and distant flaps. Local flaps are adjacent to the wound and are moved to cover it. Regional flaps involve moving tissue from a nearby region to the wound site. Distant flaps require moving tissue from a distant part of the body to cover the wound.

Flap Surgery Procedure

During a flap surgery procedure, the tissue is carefully dissected from its original site while maintaining its blood supply. It is then transferred to the recipient site, where it is sutured in place to cover the wound or defect. The blood vessels of the flap are connected to the blood vessels at the new site to ensure blood flow to the tissue.

Uses of Flap Surgery

Flap surgery is commonly used in reconstructive procedures such as breast reconstruction after mastectomy, skin cancer removal, hand surgery, and facial reconstruction. Flaps can also be used to cover chronic wounds, ulcers, and burns, providing better healing outcomes.

Flap surgery requires careful planning and precision to ensure the viability of the tissue being transferred. Surgeons must consider factors such as blood supply, tissue thickness, and aesthetic outcomes when choosing the appropriate flap for a specific procedure.

Complications such as flap necrosis, infection, and poor wound healing can occur with flap surgery, emphasizing the importance of post-operative care and monitoring. Patients undergoing flap surgery may need to follow specific instructions to promote proper healing and reduce the risk of complications.


Flap Examples

  1. The bird began to flap its wings rapidly.
  2. He used a flap of the tent to shield himself from the rain.
  3. The papers on the desk began to flap in the breeze.
  4. With a flap of her hand, she dismissed his concerns.
  5. The dog's ears would flap as he ran through the field.
  6. She let out a flap of laughter at his joke.
  7. He felt a flap of panic rise in his chest as the deadline approached.
  8. The flag continued to flap in the wind as the storm approached.
  9. The carpenter used a flap of wood to fix the broken table leg.
  10. After the surgery, she had to wear a flap of bandages over the incision.


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  • Updated 14/05/2024 - 20:51:45