Background and Objective

Among the microsurgical pedicle flaps designed for the hand repair, the most used are the radial flap and interosseous flap. Likewise, knowledge of the perforators facilitates surgery.

We conduct an study of the perforators of the radial artery in the different thirds of the forearm and analyze previous cases to establish the correlation between dispersion of perforators and the complications that occurred.

Methods

Dissection of the forearm in 15 formalized adult cadavers was performed. In a second stage 10 cases operated between 2008 and 2013 were analyzed. The surgeries consisted of radial flap for the coverage of trauma hand and for serious burns sequel.

Results

The radial flap path can be raised from anywhere in the forearm. In anatomical cadaver study we see that the number of perforators is fewer in the middle portion. The index of epidermolysis cases is higher if the path is removed from the middle third. However, no flaps were lost.

Conclusions

Therefore, we believe that the removal of the flap from the middle third is not contraindicated, but we simply emphasize the importance of being delicate when removing the flap from this region and avoid suprafascial dissections.

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