Use of dermal-fat flaps in treating abdominal scars, in abdominoplasty, and in subtrochanteric lipectomy.

Triangular dermal-fat flaps can be used in the excision of adherent vertical scars in the lower abdomen to prevent a recurrence of the depressed adhesion. Also, several such flaps can be used on the upper margin of an abdominoplasty, and one on the lower edge (above the pubis), to equalize the thickness and the lengths of the two edges. This results in a better final appearance. Finally, the use of a single triangular dermal-fat flap on the lower margin when doing a lipectomy for "subtrochanterric lipodystrophy" (or a "plastic on buttock") gives the buttock a more normal shape--round in the medial two-thirds and almost flat in the lateral one-third.