Z-plasty is a surgical technique used to close wounds where two triangular flaps based on a shared limb are transposed to close each other's defects, increasing the length of scars. The degree of elongation depends on the angle of the flaps, with greater angles providing more lengthening up to 125% for 90 degree flaps. Multiple opposing or adjacent Z-plasties can be combined for even greater lengthening effect.

2. Z-Plastys

3. Z-plasty
• Transposition of 2 equilateral triangular-
shaped flaps sharing a common limb which
are interposed to close each others secondary
defect

4. Z-plasty
• Uses:
– Increase the length of a scar
– Break up a straight line scar
– Realign a scar

5. Z-plasty
• 30 degrees----25% elongation
• 45 degrees---50%
• 60 degrees---75%
• 75 degrees---100%
• 90 degrees--- 125%

6. Simple Z-plasty
AB increased by 75%

7. Double-opposing Z-plasty
Increase by 75%

8. 5 Flap Plasty
75% for the Z’eds
50% for the VY
total: 125%

9. 4 Flap Z-plasty
50% for 1 Z-plasty of 45%
Therefore 100% elongation

10. 6 Flap Z-Plasty
3x50%
Therefore 150% in length