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Free plastic surgery revision notes, diagrams and 3D

Original articles written for FRCS (Plast) Section 1 — each one answer-first, referenced, and paired with our diagrams, free sample questions and interactive 3D models. No account needed.

General principles

Flap classification: blood supply, tissue and movement

Flap classification for FRCS (Plast): random vs axial, Mathes–Nahai types I–V, Cormack–Lamberty A–D, Nakajima, movement and Gent perforator nomenclature.

Classify any flap by circulation, composition and movement — circulation first, because it decides survival.
Random flaps live on the subdermal plexus; axial flaps carry a named artery and vein along their long axis.
Mathes–Nahai: I TFL/gastrocnemius, II gracilis/soleus, III gluteus maximus/rectus abdominis, IV sartorius, V latissimus dorsi/pectoralis major.

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Diagram of the five Mathes–Nahai muscle vascular patterns — type I tensor fascia lata, type II gracilis, type III gluteus maximus, type IV sartorius, type V latissimus dorsi — with dominant and minor pedicles marked, above Cormack–Lamberty fasciocutaneous types A (multiple basal perforators), B (single perforator) and C (segmental septal perforators).

Interactive 3D

Rotate, zoom and animate the anatomy

Local flap designs you can turn in your hands, with hotspots that name each part and animations that transpose the flaps. More models arrive as they are authored.

Browse 3D models

Radial forearm flap

3 steps

Brachial plexus

DIEP flap

TUG flap

Omental flap

Anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap

Wrist cross-section

Bilobed flap (Zitelli)

General principles

Revise general principles

Flap classification: blood supply, tissue and movement

Flap classification for FRCS (Plast): random vs axial, Mathes–Nahai types I–V, Cormack–Lamberty A–D, Nakajima, movement and Gent perforator nomenclature.

6 minUpdated 4 October 2026

Local flap geometry: Z-plasty, rhomboid, bilobed and rotation flaps

Local flap design for FRCS (Plast): Z-plasty angles and gains, Limberg and Dufourmentel rhomboids, Zitelli bilobed, rotation, V–Y, keystone and forehead flaps.

6 minUpdated 3 October 2026

Angiosomes, perforasomes and the delay phenomenon

Taylor's angiosomes, choke vessels, Saint-Cyr's perforasomes, direct and indirect perforators, delay, supercharging and flap monitoring for FRCS (Plast).

5 minUpdated 3 October 2026

Skin graft take: thickness, phases and failure

Skin grafts for FRCS (Plast): split vs full thickness, contraction, phases of take, recipient beds, causes of failure, meshing ratios, bolsters and NPWT.

6 minUpdated 3 October 2026

Hand

Revise hand

Flexor tendon injuries: zones, pulleys, repair and rehabilitation

Flexor tendons for FRCS (Plast): Verdan zones, A2/A4 pulleys, Camper's chiasm, examination, four-strand repair, early active motion, rupture and Leddy–Packer.

6 minUpdated 3 October 2026

Upper limb & nerve

Revise upper limb & nerve

Brachial plexus anatomy: roots, trunks, divisions, cords and branches

The brachial plexus from C5–T1 roots to terminal branches, with an interactive 3D model: trunks, divisions, cords, every branch with its root values, and the signs that localise an injury.

6 minUpdated 4 October 2026

Burns

Revise burns

Burns assessment and resuscitation: depth, TBSA, referral and fluids

Burn depth, TBSA (rule of nines, Lund–Browder), UK referral, Parkland fluids, urine targets, inhalation injury, CO, cyanide and escharotomy for FRCS (Plast).

6 minUpdated 3 October 2026

Then test it with real questions

Twenty single best answer questions with full explanations — free, no account needed.

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