Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
pedicled flap
A surgical flap that remains attached to its original blood supply via a vascular pedicle during transfer.
Full Definition
A pedicled flap is a section of tissue that is surgically repositioned while maintaining its connection to the original blood vessels through a vascular pedicle. Unlike free flaps, pedicled flaps do not require microvascular anastomosis because they retain their native blood supply. Common examples include latissimus dorsi flaps for breast reconstruction and rectus abdominis flaps for various reconstructive procedures. The pedicle can be rotated, advanced, or transposed to reach the recipient site while ensuring adequate perfusion of the transferred tissue.
Usage
Usage note: Often contrasted with free flaps in surgical documentation.
In Context
- "The latissimus dorsi pedicled flap provided excellent coverage for the chest wall defect." — surgical case report
- "Unlike free tissue transfer, the pedicled flap eliminates the risk of anastomotic failure." — comparative study
Also known as
vascularized pedicle flap
attached flap
Contrasted with
free flap
Don't confuse with
free flap
random pattern flap
axial pattern flap