Reconstruction in the head and neck regions with free radial forearm flaps and split-rib bone grafts

Fifty patients with wound defects in the head and neck region underwent reconstruction with the free radial forearm flap. Mandible defects in 17 patients were reconstructed by split-rib bone grafts. Radiotherapy was administered to 44 patients preoperatively. The free flap was successful in 49 patients, and there was one case of partial flap necrosis. The free flap is soft, thin, and movable. The split-rib bone graft was successful in 15 patients, and there was one case of partial graft necrosis and one case of complete necrosis. Postoperative complications were decreased by 50 percent when compared with the complication rate when split ribs were covered by forehead flaps, deltopectoral flaps, or oral mucosa. Finally, the functional and cosmetic results were excellent.     

Vascularized iliac osteocutaneous flap based on the deep circumflex iliac vessels: experience in 13 cases

We have carried out 13 vascularized iliac osteocutaneous flaps (VIOF) based on the deep circumflex artery (DCIA) and accompanying veins for cases with compound skin and bone defects. Ten of 13 cases obtained bony union at both ends of the iliac crest with only VIOF. Two of the remaining 3 cases obtained bony union at one end only with the VIOF but united at another end with an additional conventional bone grafting procedure. The final case, a traumatic bone defect of the tibia, failed to obtain bony union at either end of the iliac segment. In 5 of 11 patients in which an osteocutaneous flap was used, complete skin flap survival occurred. Of the remaining 6, one flap went on to complete necrosis, and five flaps were complicated by superficial or partial necrosis. The incidence of flap complications was analysed according to the size of flap. Five flaps with complete survival averaged 6.8 x 10.6 cm in size; however, five flaps with superficial or partial necrosis averaged 10.0 x 15.8 cm. These results suggest that the maximal safe skin flap dimension from the DCIA supply alone is probably 10 x 15 cm.     

多种骨间后动脉皮瓣修复上肢软组织缺损

目的 总结多种骨间后动脉皮瓣修复上肢烧(创)伤软组织缺损的临床效果.方法 2003年3月至2010年6月,对42例上肢烧(创)伤软组织缺损的患者,应用包括逆行皮瓣(复合组织瓣)、顺行皮瓣及游离皮瓣在内的多种骨间后动脉皮瓣进行修复,皮瓣面积为2.5 cm×2.0 cm～14.0 cm ×9.0 cm.供瓣区创面直接缝合或移植皮片修复.结果 应用传统型骨间后动脉逆行皮瓣修复11例,改良型骨间后动脉逆行皮瓣修复13例,骨间后动脉逆行肌腱复合瓣修复2例,骨间后动脉顺行皮瓣修复3例,骨间后动脉游离皮瓣修复7例,骨间后动脉桡背侧肌间隔穿支游离皮瓣修复6例.除了应用传统型骨间后动脉逆行皮瓣修复的病例中有1例发生皮瓣远端部分坏死,以及1例发生骨间后神经肌支损伤外,其余皮瓣术后均未发生血管危象,也未出现骨间后神经或其肌支损伤,皮瓣均顺利成活,切口均一期愈合.32例获得1～48个月的随访,皮瓣色泽、质地及厚薄较满意,供、受区外形和功能恢复也较满意.结论 骨间后动脉皮瓣血管解剖恒定,应用形式灵活多样,是修复上肢烧(创)伤软组织缺损的理想选择.

Abstract：

Objective To summarize the therapeutic effect of multiple types of posterior interosseous artery flaps for repair of soft tissue defects in the upper extremities. Methods From March 2003 to June 2010, 42 cases with soft tissue defects in the upper limbs resulting from burn and traumatic injuries were treated using multiple types of posterior interosseous artery flaps, including retrograde flaps and composite flaps, antegrade flaps , and free flaps. Flap size ranged from 2.5 cm× 2.0 cm-14.0 cm×9.0 cm. The defects in the donor sites were closed directly or covered by skin graft. Results The conventional retrograde posterior interosseous artery flaps were used in 11 cases, the modified retrograde posterior interosseous artery flaps were used in 13 cases, the retrograde posterior interosseous artery composite flaps incorporating partial extensors were used in 2 cases, the antegrade posterior interosseous artery flaps were used in 3 cases, the free posterior interosseous artery flaps were used in 7 cases, and the free perforator flap based on the radiodorsal septocutaneous perforator of the posterior interosseous artery were used in 6 cases. Partial necrosis happened in one case at the distal portion of the flap. Muscular branch of the posterior interosseous nerve was injuried in one case with conventional reverse posterior interosseous artery flaps. All the other flaps survived uneventually with no complication. All wounds were primarily healed. 32 cases were followed up for 1 to 48 months with satisfactory aesthetic and functional results both in the donor sites and in the recipent areas. The color,texture and thickness of the flaps were satisfied as well. Conclusions The posterior interosseous artery flap has a constant vascular anatomy and a great flexibility, which is practical and suitable for repair of soft tissue defect in the upper extremities arising from burn and traumatic injury.     

Reconstructive microsurgery procedures in orthopaedic departments performed by plastic surgeon]

The author carried out 50 free flaps in 49 patients during 10 year consulting practice in orthopaedic departments in the regional hospital in Otwock. 43 flaps were transplanted to lower extremities and 7 to upper. Extensive bone defects (bd), requiring reconstruction of shafts especially in case of tibiae predominated. The recipient sites of free tissue flaps were as follows: the arm--3 (bd), forearm--2 (bd), hand--2 (thumb defects), thigh--6 (bd--5, aseptic necrosis of the femoral head--1), tibiae--33 (bd and nonunion of tibiae--29, soft tissue defects (std)--4), foot--4 (std). In the post-traumatic cases criteria for operations were determined on the basis of the arteriography in the impaired extremity. The operations were performed in the period from some weeks to several years after the trauma. The following free flaps were used: peroneal flap--28, iliac flap--13, radial forearm flap--2, latissimus dorsi flap--3, rectus abdominis muscle flap--1, groin flap with aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle of the abdomen--1, toe--1, composite great and second toe--1. The operating microscope was usually used during microsurgical anastomoses, and in two cases a magnifying glass was used. Standard Ethilon sutures 10-0 with the needle of 100 or 130 microns in diameter were used for anastomoses. End-to-side microanastomoses both for artery and comitant vein prevailed. Dextran 40,000 and Aspirin were administered postoperatively. There was a survival rate of 98 percent with 49 flaps surviving and 1 failing. Early vascular complications were observed in 3 patients (2 in radial flaps and 1 in latissimus dorsi flap). Revision of the arterial microanastomoses was carried out in 2 patients, of the venous in one, obtaining complete survival of one of the flaps. Partial loss of the flap tissue without essential effect on the final treatment was observed in two remaining flaps. One patient with the disturbances of outflow was successfully treated with Heparin administered subcutaneously to the island of the flap. Thrombosis resulting in complete loss of one of the fibular flaps due to the wound infection was observed on the seventh day after the operation. Soft tissue and periosteum around sequestrum were revascularized generating sufficient bone recovery. Different depth necrosis of the island tissue in its peripheral parts was observed in some patients because of difficulties of blood outflow from the flap. Necrectomy or excision of the whole skin island in cases of very fatty flaps and skin grafting were indicated as giving a better cosmesis. Secondary procedures modeling the flap were not performed. Complete rebuilding of tibiae was not obtained only in two children treated because of congenital pseudoarthrosis of tibiae. In one patient with femur defect and vascularized fibular bone reconstruction late result of treatment is unknown. Treatment of the remaining patients was successful (92 percent).     

应用穿支皮瓣治疗下肢远端慢性骨髓炎并皮肤缺损

目的 探讨游离或带蒂穿支皮瓣在治疗下肢远端慢性骨髓炎并皮肤缺损创面修复中的应用价值.方法 应用穿支皮瓣游离或带蒂移位修复胫前及足踝部慢性骨髓炎并皮肤缺损28例.游离移植13例:采用股前外侧穿支皮瓣修复胫前2例,踝前3例,足背2例,足跟2例;小腿外侧腓动脉穿支皮瓣修复足背4例.带蒂移位15例:胫后动脉穿支皮瓣修复胫前4例,修复内踝2例;腓动脉外踝后上穿支皮瓣修复足跟6例,外踝及足背各1例;第1跖背动脉穿支皮瓣修复近节(足母)趾背侧1例.抗生素液灌流伤口7例,万古霉素明胶海绵残腔填塞8例.结果 1例胫后动脉穿支皮瓣出现静脉回流不足,表浅坏死,自行愈合,其余皮瓣无坏死.随访6个月～2年,2例复发,分别经1次和2次手术后愈合,其余均一期愈合,皮瓣外形满意.3例行二期骨移植.最后一次随访时,患者可行走,患肢完全负重,按足部疾患治疗效果标准评定平均为84.5分.结论 游离或带蒂穿支皮瓣血供良好,可用于治疗残腔不大的慢性骨髓炎并皮肤缺损.     

Interest of free flaps for cranial base reconstruction

We describe our experience in treating 7 patients who underwent skull base reconstruction with free flap (6 latissimus dorsi, 1 rectus abdominis) between October 1996 and November 1998. Four patients underwent temporal bone resection with auricular resection, 2 patients underwent anterior and middle cranial fossa resection, 1 patient underwent frontotemporal resection. There have been no failures of the free flaps and one cerebrospinal fluid leak. We advocate free flap reconstruction after temporal bone resection with auricular resection, and after anterior or middle cranial fossa resection when local flap options are not available or with complex dead space.     

The role of the anterolateral thigh flap in complex defects of the scalp and cranium

In this study, we introduced scalp reconstruction using free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps and evaluated postoperative outcomes in nine patients between March 2000 and April 2012. Five patients had problems of exposed prosthesis, three required reconstruction after resection of scalp tumor and one patient presented with third degree flame burns of the scalp. All flaps survived without re‐exploration, except three flaps with tip necrosis requiring secondary procedures of debridement and small Z‐plasty reconstructions. The superficial temporal artery and its concomitant vein were used as recipient vessels, apart from two cases where previous surgery and flame burns excluded these choices, for which facial arteries and veins were used instead. Primary closure of the donor‐site was possible in six cases; with skin grafting performed for the other three patients. All donor sites healed without complications. The ALT flap offers the advantage of customizable size, option of fascia lata as vascularized dural replacement, and minimal flap atrophy typical of muscle flaps. Indications include very large defects, defects with exposed prosthesis, or defects with bone or dural loss. Our experience lends credible support to the use of customized free ALT flaps to achieve functional and cosmetically superior result for the reconstruction of large scalp defects, especially with bone exposure. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 34:14–19, 2014.     

Free latissimus dorsi flap transfer for subtotal scalp and cranium defect reconstruction: report of seven cases

The purpose of this paper is to review the results of free latissimus dorsi transfer for scalp and cranial reconstruction in the case of large defects with exposed brain tissue, cranial bone without periosteal cover, and dura, which cannot be reconstructed with local flaps or skin grafts. Free latissimus dorsi transfer was carried out in seven patients with subtotal and total scalp defects (two reconstruction after tumor removal, two reconstructions after long-standing osteitis, two tissue breakdown after irradiation, one defect reconstruction after high voltage injury). There were three male and four female patients. The age ranged from 36 to 72 years. Reconstruction was performed with a muscle flap (1) or a myocutaneous flap (6) in combination with a split-thickness skin mesh (1:1.5) graft in a single-stage procedure. In a retrospective clinical study, the following criteria were evaluated: (1) flap healing, (2) aesthetic result, and (3) complications. All flaps healed primarily, and all wounds remained closed without any signs of infection. Complete wound healing was achieved after 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the “take” of the skin grafts. Secondary skin grafting was necessary in two patients, while revision of the donor site was necessary in two patients. From an aesthetic point of view, four patients complained about the appearance of the retroauricular skin island. After removal of the skin island 6 months after the initial operation, all patients judged the result as good or acceptable. Besides the free omentum flap, the free latissimus dorsi transfer is the only option for cover of subtotal or total scalp defects. Compared to the omentum flap, the latissimus dorsi offers more tissue, has less donor site morbidity, and secondary surgery such as cranial bone reconstruction is possible. Contrary to most authors, our preferred donor vessels are maxillary artery and the external jugular vein. To avoid any vascular compression, we use a myocutaneous flap. The skin island must be removed secondarily. In patients where no bone reconstruction is possible or planned, the de-epithelialized skin paddle can be used for correction of a contour defect.This work was presented at the Spring Meeting of the Belgian Society for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, May 8, 2004 in Ghent, Belgium.     

Efficacy of temporal musculopericranial flap for reconstruction of the anterior base of the skull.

Since March 1988 the temporal musculopericranial (TMP) flap has been used as our flap of choice to reconstruct defects of the anterior base of the skull that are larger than 2 x 3 cm, including the dura mater, in 33 patients. The primary diseases were malignant head and neck tumours (n = 16), trauma (n = 15), meningioma (n = 1), and teratoma (n = 1). The dura mater was reconstructed with a unilateral TMP flap, after which the cranial and nasal cavities were closed with the opposite TMP flap. In addition, bone was grafted by sandwiching the bone between the two flaps and fixing it to the surrounding residual bone. When a large area was resected, making it impossible to use a TMP flap, a frontal musculopericranial (FMP) flap or a free flap (usually the rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap) was used to close the cranial and nasal cavities. Thirty of the 33 patients recovered with no postoperative complications. Two patients developed extradural abscesses in the anterior base of the skull and one developed mild meningitis, but they were successfully treated conservatively. When bilateral TMP flaps were used for the reconstruction, no patient had aesthetic problems in the forehead region. The TMP flap is extremely effective for the reconstruction of the anterior base of the skull because it is minimally invasive and causes few aesthetic problems in the forehead region.     

Experience of reverse medial arm flaps in the reconstruction of burned elbow scar contractures

There are many methods to correct scar contractures in the elbow region after burn injury, including Z-plasty, Y-V or rectangular flaps, local or distant fasciocutaneous flaps, muscle or myocutaneous flaps, free flaps, tissue expanders and non-surgical orthotics. Among these, the reverse medial arm island flap, based on the recurrent ulnar artery, has proved to be a convenient local fasciocutaneous flap for elbow scar reconstruction. In the past 2 years, 12 reverse medial arm flaps were used in 11 patients. The results are satisfactory. Two complications, one partial flap necrosis, another ulnar nerve compression, were noted. Our clinical experience with this flap encourages us to use it for burn elbow reconstruction in the future. The advantages and disadvantages are discussed.     

Viability and vascularization of an expanded buttock island flap in the pig

In 14 of 16 buttock island flaps, half of which had been expanded within their cranial arterial part before elevation, areas of skin necrosis were noted within the caudal random part. The mean area of necrosis on the expanded side did not differ from that on the control side. In vivo angiograms indicated that the circumflex iliac artery was more tortuous and wider on the expanded side than on the control side. The findings suggest that expanding the arterial part of the flaps has no apparent negative effects on the circulation. The concept of expanding skin to be used as a free flap, so that the size of the flap may fulfill demands in special circumstances, is supported.     

游离股前外侧皮瓣修复口腔软组织缺损

目的 探讨分析3种游离股前外侧皮瓣在口腔软组织缺损修复中的临床特点与治疗效果。方法 2008年12月至2010年12月收治67例口腔肿瘤患者,切除肿瘤的同时,应用游离股前外侧皮瓣修复缺损处,包括舌、颊、牙龈、口底,通常将皮瓣的旋股外侧动脉降支与受区的颌外动脉或甲状腺上动脉吻合,伴行静脉与受区的面总静脉或颈外静脉吻合。根据游离股前外侧皮瓣的厚度将其分成3种类型：股前外侧肌皮瓣、股前外侧脂肪筋膜皮瓣和薄型股前外侧皮瓣。结果 67例中股前外侧肌皮瓣为35例,股前外侧脂肪筋膜皮瓣17例,薄型股前外侧皮瓣15例。66例皮瓣存活,成功率为98.5％,其中1例糖尿病患者皮瓣发生小部分坏死,经清创换药后痊愈;1例皮瓣完全坏死。67例皮瓣中41例吻合2条静脉,26例吻合1条静脉。8例出现血管危象：6例为静脉血栓（5例抢救成功、1例皮瓣完全坏死）,1例为术区血肿,1例为穿支血管扭转,经过相应处理,血管危象均得到缓解。术后随访2～ 24个月,平均8.7个月,受区组织缺损修复效果满意,供区创面愈合良好。结论 游离股前外侧皮瓣的受区功能良好,供区并发症少,是一种修复口腔软组织缺损的较为理想的方法。     

Different surgical procedures for reconstruction of soft-tissue defects around the ankle

IntroductionManagement of soft tissue defects around the ankle is a difficult and challenging situation for all reconstructive surgeons. A microsurgical free flaps coverage can solve this problematic situation especially with large defects that is not available in all trauma centers. Moreover, long operating time and suitable operative demands are considered obstacles.Materials and methodEighty five patients having soft tissue defects around ankle were included in this study. They underwent various reconstructions in our specialized hand and reconstructive microsurgery unit from 2015 to 2019. Fifty two were males and thirty three patients were females. Road traffic accident was the main cause of injury in 66 patients followed by implant exposure in 15 patients and chronic osteomyelitis in 4 patients. Distally based superficial sural artery flap was used to reconstruct the defects in 21 cases, free flap was used in 32 cases, Rotational local flap was used in 8 cases, contralateral distally based superficial sural artery flap was used in 2 cases, full or partial skin flaps were used in 10 cases and Propeller flap was used in 12cases.ResultsAll flaps survived except for one modified sural flap with 98% success rate and average follow up of 48 months. All patients were satisfied with the functional capacity of operated limbs. Average time of bone healing postoperative was 3 months with gradual return to original work with acceptable degrees for cosmotic appearance of the limbs.ConclusionMany treatment options are available to cover defects around the ankle. Propeller and rotational flaps are fast and easy but cover small defects, distally-based modified sural artery flap is an excellent reliable flap. Microsurgical free flaps provide good contour, color, texture and cover large defects but require microsurgery facilities to execute.     

显微外科皮瓣修复[足母]甲瓣供区的临床应用

目的探讨应用显微外科皮瓣对[足母]甲瓣供区进行修复的临床疗效,并对皮瓣选择做出分析。方法应用5种近位足部带蒂皮瓣和2种远位游离皮瓣对57例[足母]甲瓣供区软组织缺损进行修复。其中近位带蒂皮瓣33例:带蒂足跗外侧动脉皮瓣2例,以第1跖背动脉的跖蹼穿支为蒂的足背逆行皮瓣15例,带第1跖背动脉的足背逆行皮瓣3例,顺行足第2趾胫侧皮瓣11例,逆行足底内侧皮瓣2例,足部皮瓣供区行全厚皮片游离植皮。远位游离皮瓣24例:游离腹股沟皮瓣13例,游离股前外侧皮瓣11例。皮瓣供区均直接缝合。结果57例皮瓣中53例成活良好;以第1跖背动脉的跖蹼穿支为蒂的足背逆行皮瓣3例远端部分坏死,经换药治疗后创面愈合;游离腹股沟皮瓣1例术后发生血管危象,经血管探查术后未缓解,Ⅱ期行游离植皮修复[足母]甲瓣供区创面。术后随访2~12个月,行走姿态良好。结论合适的显微皮瓣技术可以良好的修复[足母]甲瓣供区创面,保全肢体的完整性,减少医源性损伤,患者更容易接受[足母]甲瓣移植的手术方式。皮瓣选择不应只关注[足母]趾供区的修复,更应合理运用显微皮瓣技术,重视供、受区的平衡。     

急诊修复拇指指腹缺损三种方法的研究

目的 报道采用不同方法急诊修复拇指指腹缺损的疗效。方法 采用示指背侧岛状皮瓣，拇指桡侧指动脉逆行岛状皮瓣转位有趾腹皮瓣游离移植三种方法，为21例线指指腹缺损进行急诊修复。结果 20例以瓣成活，1例失败。术后随访半年－2年，平均10个月。所有皮瓣血运，弹性，质地均良好。指腹二点分辨觉：示指背侧岛状皮瓣平均为92.mm，拇指桡侧动脉逆行岛状皮瓣平均为8mm，趾腹皮瓣平均为5.6mm。结论 急诊修复拇指指腹缺损首选趾腹皮瓣，其次为拇指桡侧指动脉逆行岛状皮瓣或示指背侧岛状皮瓣。     

Reconstruction of extensive defects of the cranium using free-tissue transfer

Fourteen patients with large tissue deficits in the calvarium and orbits were reconstructed using microvascular free-tissue transfer (15 flaps). The etiology of these defects was skin neoplasms (seven), osteomyelitis (four), burn (two), and trauma (one). The free flaps used were the latissimus dorsi muscle flap with a split-thickness skin graft (seven), latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap (two), rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (three), radial forearm fasciocutaneous flap (two), and split-iliac crest flap (one). There was one postoperative death, one flap failure, two recurrences of neoplasm, and one loss of bone grafts and flap from infection. The free flaps can offer good results in patients undergoing wide resection in the cranium and orbits providing immediate repair with acceptable cosmetic result, minimized morbidity, and short hospitalization. However, immediate reconstruction following tumor resection carries a danger of positive margins discovered on permanent histologic sections or the difficulty in detecting recurrence underneath a bulky free flap.     

Viability and versatility of arterialized venous perfusion flaps and prefabricated flaps: an experimental study in rabbits.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the viability of two types of unconventional flaps: 1) the arterialized venous perfusion (AVP) flap; and 2) the prefabricated flap. Four experimental groups were studied: an AVP flap group with assessment of the viability of single and paired flaps nourished by the same vascular pedicle; a prefabricated flap group with the abdominal flap pedicled on the epigastric artery and vein; a prefabricated flap group in which the flap was supplied by an arterialized vein graft (A-V shunt), and paired flaps of different designs, but based on the same vascular pedicle, were investigated; and a free composite graft group. Survival of the skin flaps exceeded 92 percent in each group, except in the free composite group which showed complete necrosis. Results of the study validated that flap viability was independent of flap size (large or small), type (AVP flap or prefabricated flap), and the number of flaps on each vascular pedicle (single or paired).     

自体组织移植进展

目的综述骨科领域较常见的自体组织移植,如皮瓣、肌瓣、骨(膜)瓣等移植在修复重建外科应用的现状及对未来的发展进行展望.方法回顾近几年国内外有关自体组织移植发展的文献,进行分析整理,总结其应用进展,并根据多年的临床经验,指出今后的发展方向.结果目前临床选用较多的几个游离皮瓣供区是股前外侧皮瓣、背阔肌皮瓣、上臂外侧皮瓣、肩胛皮瓣、颞顶筋膜瓣以及各种穿支皮瓣等.其中穿支皮瓣具有受区修复好和供区损失小的优点.由于肌肉皮瓣游离移植的优点较多,因此替代了单纯肌肉游离移植.较常用的肌皮瓣为背阔肌肌皮瓣,可急诊移植血管桥接修复,也可保留胸背神经移植修复,或应用桥式游离肌皮瓣移植修复等.骨缺损、骨不连是骨科的一大难题.常用的带血供骨移植供骨部位有肋骨、髂骨、腓骨及肩胛骨等,可应用治疗大块骨缺损、骨不连、骨缺损、股骨头缺血性坏死及骨肿瘤切除后植骨等.结论利用自体组织移植来修复组织缺损已成为修复重建外科手术方式之一.     

Experiences with an arterialized venous flap for intraoral defect reconstruction

This clinical investigation should try out the suitability of arterialized venous forearm flaps for immediate reconstruction of intraoral defects after excision of an oral squamous cell carcinoma. In contrast to the free radial forearm flap there is no need for either sacrificing a peripheral artery or jeopardizing motor nerves. As the exact function of arterialized venous flaps is still unknown we had to take into account the possible loss of the flap. Therefore we used this flap in patients with small or medium sized defects only. All skin fat flaps were raised out of the right forearm using two different flap types. In 34 patient we used a flap with a superficial vein passing through (type I), in 5 patients we took a flap with two parallel proximal veins (type II). After the flap had been sutured into the intraoral defect, in flap type I the original distal end of the vein was anastomosed to an artery and the original proximal end to a vein. In flap type II there was no specific differentiation between the veins both. 18 (46.2%) of the flaps survived completely, 9 (23%) had superficial epithelial loss or some marginal necrosis and 12 (30.8%) became completely necrotic. Areas of partial loss developed slowly and formed stable granulation tissue. The flap donor sites were either closed primarily (n = 19) or were covered with split thickness skin graft (n = 20). There were no functional problems of the donor forearms. These results contrast with the high success rates achieved with orthodox free forearm flaps. Further research into venous flaps is essential.     

The radial (Chinese) flap in hand surgery

The radial (Chinese) flap is an fascio-cutaneous flap raised on the volar aspect of the forearm based on the radial pedicle axis which can be used either pedicled or by microsurgical free transfer. In hand and thumb reconstruction, it is used as an island flap vascularized by a reverse flow from the ulnar artery via the palmar arch, keeping the pivot point at the snuff box level. The possibility to raise a composite flap with vascularized bone or tendons make the chinese flap very useful in hand reconstruction. Of the 35 cases presented, there were 30 pedicled and 5 free flaps from the opposite forearm. The island flaps were reverse flow in 30 cases and with proximal pedicle in 5. In 4 cases the flap contained flexor carpi radialis longus tendon, and in 2 cases a bone graft from the radius. The five free radial flaps transferred from the contralateral side were used as flow-through flap. There were no vascular complications. The advantages and disadvantages of the methods are discussed.