The gracilis flap is a long strap muscle with a long distal tendon, supplied by a long dominant neurovascular pedicle. The single dominant vascular pedicle includes a sizeable artery (average 1.5 mm internal diameter) and two venae comitantes (average 2.0 mm internal diameter).

What is a gracilis muscle flap?

The gracilis is a commonly used muscle to create a flap for free tissue transfer or flap surgery for reconstruction of small- to medium-sized soft tissue defects in the arms, legs, head and neck. It is a muscular flap, which means only muscle is used.

Why gracilis is used for grafting?

The gracilis muscle free flap is based on a single anatomically constant neurovascular pedicle. The muscle has an easily accessible donor site that allows a 2-team approach and has acceptable donor site morbidity. This muscle demonstrated reliable results for sustaining facial function after transfer.