The lateral arm free flap in lower extremity reconstruction

Reconstruction of skin defects of the distal third of the leg and foot is often a difficult task. Shape, resistance to shearing stresses in the weight-bearing surface and sensibility are the main features that have to be restored. For coverage of this region, the authors have used, in selected patients, the lateral arm flap (LAF) since 1994. This flap is thin, easy to dissect and has the possibility to be innervated through the posterior cutaneous nerve of the arm. Fourteen cases are presented. The drawbacks of this flap are the loss of sensibility in the forearm (partially transient) and the scar on the arm, which can be rather unsightly in young ladies and when big flaps are harvested skin graft is needed.