The loss of vascular flow in the early postoperative period will gener
ally lead to free nap failure. When attempts at flap salvage are unsuc
cessful, conservative management with delayed flap debridement may be
indicated. Seven unsalvageable free flaps were managed with observatio
n and flap debridement 4 to 14 days following loss of vascular signals
. At the time of debridement, six of the seven wounds had viable granu
lation tissue and were successfully closed with skin grafts. The seven
th patient had loss of vascular flow to the free nap within 12 hr of s
urgery and, at the time of delayed debridement, had no evidence of gra
nulation ingrowth. Local revascularization of flaps is known to occur
and offers an explanation for these findings. Delayed debridement of u
nsalvageable free flaps is indicated for noncritical wounds, and may o
bviate the need for a second free-tissue transfer to obtain wound clos
ure.