A Tagilacozzi Flap
Dehradun, India - Tim Sproule, Volunteer plastic surgeon
We have had a unique opportunity to perform a classic plastic surgical operation on young Mamta, who suffered disabling burns several years ago. The procedure, call the Tagilacozzi flap, was first described in the west in the 1400's by Gaspare Tagliacozzi. Dr. Yogi has informed us that the same operation has been performed in India for literally thousands of years; in their literature, it is described by Susrutta.
Mamta has severe facial burns, and has lost her entire nose as a result. After discussing the options, we decided to utilize her unburned inner arm as a donor site and "pedicle" the tissue to her nose without detaching it from her arm. She now will remain with arm draped over her head for the next two weeks, before having the connection detached by Yogi after we have gone. It is only with an experienced burn surgeon like Yogi that Interplast would ever take on such a complex procedure. We are confident that she is in the best of hands and we are proud to be able to help her with her problem.
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