[1984-1994: ten years of skin flaps. Improvements and conceptual developments. Development of vascular concepts, classification and clinical concepts].

After a brief review of definitions and semantics, the author recalls the state of the art before 1984 concerning arterial and venous cutaneous blood supply. Studies and concepts published since 1984 include those of Nakajima, who distinguished six types of cutaneous arteries, Gumener, who emphasized the vascular entity represented by the subcutaneous connective tissue, and Taylor. This author, after many studies on the whole body, defined forty arterial and venous cutaneous territories, border-arteries and veins oscillating at the borders of these territories, as well as a number of neurovascular entities (neurocutaneous arteries and veins). In terms of haemodynamics, the concepts of anatomical, haemodynamic and potential arterial cutaneous territories, the concepts of arteriosome and venotome and the concept of low venous pressure zones are analysed. These anatomical and concepts haemodynamic are the basis for the feasibility and reliability of the various cutaneous, musculocutaneous and fasciocutaneous flaps. A number of classifications for these various flaps have been proposed since 1984: a theoretical classification (Kunert's), classifications according to vascular systematization, including Nakajima's classification, and many others. The author proposes a practical classification which should allow a better understanding and better national and international exchange. In parallel, the design and indications of various types of flaps have also advanced since 1984. Skin flaps without a systematized blood supply do not correspond to random flaps. Musculocutaneous flaps have advanced in three directions: partial muscular harvesting when the objective of the flap is essentially cover, an increase of the skin flap surface area; substitution, in certain anatomical regions, of the concept of fasciocutaneous flap for that of musculocutaneous flap, particularly in thoracolumbar and anterior thoracic regions. The author notes the progress in fasciocutaneous flaps: distal pedicle leg flaps, development of decreased cutaneous morbidity resulting in fasciosubcutaneous flaps and proximal or distal fascial (or fascio-adipose) pedicle fasciocutaneous island flaps, progress of normal flow or reverse flow island septocutaneous flaps on the main vessels of the limbs towards to similar types of island flaps on secondary vessels, especially in peri-articular sites. The other clinical concepts analysed include grafted fascial flaps, grafted adipose and fascioadipose flaps, neurocutaneous flaps, "tailormade" flaps and chimeric flaps. This progress in vascular and clinical concepts of skin cover flaps over the last ten years is illustrated by many examples of skin cover, particularly involving the posterior aspect of the heel.