How much lengthening can you get with a V-Y plasty?

How much lengthening can you get with a V-Y plasty?

• A. 10%
• B. 20%
• C. 30%
• D. 40%

Answer: (B)

A V-Y plasty gains length by converting a V-shaped incision into a Y-closure, which advances tissue forward and increases length along the axis. The geometric limit of this simple advancement yields a modest length increase—about 20% of the original tissue length. This makes it useful for mild contractures or small defects where a quick, local lengthening is sufficient. If more length is needed, other techniques like Z-plasty can provide greater lengthening, though they are more complex. So the typical length gain is around 20%.