Usage of Reversed Radial Forearm Flap for Reconstruction of Hand and Wrist Defects

Abstract

Objectives: To highlight the usefulness of reverse radialforearm fasciocutaneous flap in covering various soft tissuedefects of hand and wrist.Study Design: Descriptive, experimental study.Setting: Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery,Tanta University Hospitals.Material and Methods: A total of 15 reverse radial forearmflaps were utilized to cover various soft tissue defects of handand wrist from various etiologies including road traffic accidents,mechanical trauma, and industrial trauma and fireworksinjuries were included. Patients with segmental bone loss andthose patients having partial of complete amputation of thumbwere excluded. The age ranged from 22-43 (mean 22.5) years.Soft tissue defects of dorsum were covered with this flap in7 cases, 3 cases on palmer aspect and 5 cases for 1st webspace and the index finger defects each. Patients were followedfor at least three months post-operatively.Results: We had partial loss of flap in two cases that wasmanaged with debridement and skin grafting. Superficialepidermolysis was found in one case and managed conservatively.Donor site was skin grafted in 13 cases, which washealed uneventfully and quite acceptable to the patients indue course of time and direct clousure in 2 cases.Conclusion: Reverse radial artery flap has a quite longarc of rotation, which brings it great ease to cover the softtissue defects of various areas of hand like palm, dorsum,first web space.