Abstract
The radial forearm flap was developed by Yang’ and originally used to treat post-bum contractures of the face and neck. It has been tiidely used in microsurgical reconstructions, as it is thin, pliable and reliable. Studies of the vascularization of this flap show that it is based on the segmental perforators from the radial artery which are distributed into proximal and distal subgroupsZ’3. By appropriate division the flap can be partitioned into separate subunits, thus providing two or more flaps based on radial vessels4. This enables simultaneous reconstruction of multiple defects leaving a single donor-site defect. The radial artery may be based either proximally or distally. A distally based forearm flap allows elevation and transposition of a relatively large fasciocutaneous flap on a long vascular pedicle. In this case report, we used a split forearm fasciocutaneous flap for simultaneous bilateral heel reconstruction. The vascular leash of the distal flap was orientated for retrograde flow. Most authors feel that a tube flap can be divided 3 weeks after surgery on account of its vascularization from surrounding tissues5. We present a case in which a sufficient vascularization occurred within 12 days.
Published Version
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