The distally planned lateral arm flap in hand reconstruction

Abstract

The lateral arm flap is a versatile free flap with straightforward dissection and low donor site morbidity. However, it presents some drawbacks: the vascular pedicle is relatively short (2-6 cm), and the flap is rather thick. Further surgery is often needed to decrease flap volume. An anastomotic network between the posterior collateral radial artery and the recurrent radial artery allows the skin paddle to be safety located over the epicondylar region and proximal forearm. This modification increases pedicle length up to 100% and limits the amount of subcutaneous fat. A series of eight consecutive distally planned lateral arm flaps used for hand reconstruction is presented. The medical records and operative notes were reviewed. Six patients were reviewed. The minimum follow-up was six months. Flap size ranged from 11 x 5.5 cm to 23 x 7 cm (average 15 x 6 cm), pedicle length ranged from 8 to 10 cm (average 9 cm), no venous grafts were needed for the microanastomosis. The mean flap harvesting time was 50 minutes. All donor sites were closed primarily. All flaps survived totally despite postoperative arterial thrombosis in one case that was salvaged by a skin graft over the surviving fascia. To date, no further surgery was needed to debulk the flaps. The donor site scar was enlarged in one patient. Elbow mobility was unaffected by surgery. Patient self-assessment of appearance of both reconstruction and donor site showed a high satisfaction rate. The distally planned lateral arm flap presents decreased bulk and a longer pedicle than the classical lateral arm flap with no added technical difficulties.