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# Delay Phenomenon
- URL: https://www.theplasticsfella.com/delay-phenomenon/
- Published: 2022-05-31T18:40:54.000Z
- Updated: 2022-06-01T15:27:59.000Z
- Description: The delay phenomenon increases flap survival by increasing axial blood, increasing ischaemia tolerance, and reducing sympathetic fibres.
- Author: PlasticsFella
- Tags: Core Principles

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**In this Article**  
  
[Definition of Delay Phenomenon ](https://www.theplasticsfella.com/delay-phenomenon/#definition-of-delay-phenomenon)  
[Uses](https://www.theplasticsfella.com/delay-phenomenon/#uses-for-the-delay-phenomenon)  
[Theories](https://www.theplasticsfella.com/delay-phenomenon/#delay-phenomenon-theories)  
[Flashcards](https://www.theplasticsfella.com/delay-phenomenon/#flashcards)

## Definition of Delay Phenomenon 

The delay phenomenon renders a piece of tissue partially ischemic in order to undergo neovascularization and enhance its vascularity. It is used in flap reconstruction to increase flap survival. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a0/9f/a09fd7b4-d396-4b28-aed3-b87e20483292/content/images/2022/05/Delay-Phenomenon-Original-Publication.png)

Original Publication of *De Curtorum Chirurgia per insition (1597)*

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## Uses for the Delay Phenomenon

The purpose of the delay phenomenon is to increase flap survival. It is centred on the ability to restrict the flap to the blood vessels on which it will have to rely at the time of the transfer. Essentially, it is "training the flap". 

It can be used in the following situations: 

- In **random-pattern** flaps to increase their length: width ratio
- In **axial** flaps in order to extend the flap beyond its accepted safe length.
- In **pedicled** flaps that require a **staged division** (it becomes downgraded from an axial to a random pattern flap)

By isolating the skin flap on its axial blood supply, it will increase axial blood flow, and dilate and reorientate [choke vessels](https://www.theplasticsfella.com/angiosomes/#choke-vessels). . This can be visualised below. 

![The delay phenomenon in flap surgery increases the blood flow by isolating the skin flap on it's planned blood supply. ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a0/9f/a09fd7b4-d396-4b28-aed3-b87e20483292/content/images/2022/05/Delay-Phenomenon-Process.png)

Delay Phenomenon in Flap Surgery

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**Fun Fact:** Renaissance surgeon Gaspar Tagliacozzi is commonly accredited with the discovery as he popularized vascular delay in upper arm flaps in his 1597 work *De Curtorum Chirurgia per insitione.* 

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## Delay Phenomenon Theories 

A series of theories have been proposed to describe the delay phenomenon. Each of these has been encompassed in a "unifying theory" by [Pearl in 1981](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6457549/?ref=theplasticsfella.com). 

1. **Increase** axial blood flow by removing blood flow from the periphery.
2. **Increase** tolerance to ischaemia by "training for hypoxia"
3. **Increased** adrenergic state in the initial delay operation reduces minimises the effect of raised vasoconstrictor concentration during the second operation.
4. **Reducing** sympathetic fibres by dividing skin flap borders increases vasodilation and intra-flap shunting of non-nutritive blood.
5. **Converts** [choke vessels](https://www.theplasticsfella.com/angiosomes/#choke-vessels) to "true anastomosis" permanently within 3 days.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a0/9f/a09fd7b4-d396-4b28-aed3-b87e20483292/content/images/2022/05/Delay-Phenomenon-Unifying-Theory.png)

The Unifying Theory of the Delay Phenomenon

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**Fun Fact:** tissue expansion is a form of delay that has similar histological features similar to incisional delay. 

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## Flashcards