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Radial Forearm Flap: DR G Avinash Rao Fellow Hand and Microsurgery Skims, Srinagar
Radial Forearm Flap: DR G Avinash Rao Fellow Hand and Microsurgery Skims, Srinagar
Initial use – free flap in (head and neck) burn contracture release..
French microsurgery mission – visited PRC – used in france after 1981.
GERMAN - introduced to western world.
Modified to use as island pedicle / free flap for hand defects.
Further modifications – adipofascial / osteofasciocutaneous flaps /
vascularized tendon in fascia graft / interpositional graft / prefabricated flaps.
Anatomy
Immediately below (2cms) the elbow crease just distal to the
bicipital aponeurosis the brachial artery divides into its two terminal
and pronator teres muscles in the upper half of the forearm and
At this level the artery winds dorsally across the radial border of the distal
wrist onto the dorsal surface of the hand passing deep to the tendons of the
abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis.
It then proceeds through the anatomic snuff-box and into the interspace
between the first and second metacarpal bones, where it forms the deep
palmar arch through an anastomosis with the deep branch of the ulnar artery
ANATOMY
BRANCHES OF RADIAL
ARTERY
RADIAL RECURRENT ARTERY – Just below branching.
Radial artery courses down the LATERAL INTERMUSCULAR SEPTUM and branches in DEEP
FASCIA to supply skin, subcutaneous tissue, flexor muscles, nerves and periosteum of distal radius.
PERFORATORS (9-17) – PROXIMAL (0-10) & DISTAL GROUP (4-14)
PROXIMAL(large and well spread) - INFERIOR CUBITAL ARTERY (0.5mm)– Large
Septocutaneous Perforator 4 cms below Inter-epicondylar line – form basis for ANTECUBITAL FLAP.
DISTAL (small and grouped) - 6 to 10 Septocutaneous perforators near anatomic snuff box. Large-
caliber perforator - THE DORSAL SUPERFICIAL BRANCH - found within 2–4 cm proximal to the
radial styloid.
PALMAR CARPAL BRANCH,
SUPERFICIAL PALMAR BRANCH,
DEEP PALMAR BRANCH.
Flap components
CORMACK AND LAMBERTY
TYPE - C
Type C The flap is based on the fascial plexus supplied by multiple small
perforators along the length of a fascial septum. The supplying artery is
taken in continuity with the fascial septum and integument. It may be
pedicled, based distally or proximally or used as a free flap; for example,
the radial forearm flap.
Type D Similar to type C, the type D flap is based on multiple small
perforators, but it is raised as an osteomyofasciocutaneous flap. The
fascial septum and the source artery are taken in continuity with the bone
and adjacent muscle; for example, the radial forearm flap with half of the
radius longitudinally
PERFORATORS
Perforators
LINKING VESSELS
Fasciocutaneous vascular territory
The fascial plexus on the anterior (volar) aspect is orientated
predominantly along the longitudinal axis in the proximal two-thirds
of the forearm and is orientated more transversely in the distal third
of forearm
Subfascial and Suprafascial injection study
VENOUS DRAINAGE OF FLAP
DEEP – 2 venae comitantes (valved) but has inter-connecting channels
(ladder pattern) – flow is retrograde in DISTALLY PEDICLED FLAPS.
Drain into Median Cubital Vein (via – Constant Branch near elbow)
SUPERFICIAL – Cephalic V , Basilic V , Median Cubital Vein.
Nerve supply to flap
Lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm (c5,c6) /(MCN) – its anterior
branch runs along with cephalic vein.
Medial cutaneous nerve of forearm (c8,T1) (Medial Cord) – via its
anterior branch.
Dimentions
Radial artery – Dominant vessel
L- 18 cms (15-22 cms) D- 3mm (2.5-3.5mm)
Veins
Primary (venae comitantes) L- 18 cms (15-22 cms) D- 1.5mm (1-2mm)
Secondary (cephalic vein) L- 20 cms (16-24 cms) D- 3mm (2.5-4mm)
Flap dimensions
Skin island L – 12 cms (4-30cms) closed primarily : 3 cms.
W – 5 cms (4-15cms) closed primarily : 2 cms.
T – 1cm (0.5-2cms).
Bone Dimensions
L – 10 cms (6-14cms)
W – 1 cms (0.7-1.5cms)
T – 1cm (0.7-1.5cms).
ADVANTAGES
Relatively constant and reproducible anatomy based on Large vessels with
Long pedicle & large Diameter vessels.
Two team approch of reconstruction (often)
Ability to use as a Conduit / Interpositional Grafts / Flow through Flap
Communicating superficial and deep veins of flap allow for flexibility of
drainage.
Used as free / pedicle flap proximally (or) distally. (prolonged immobilization
not required)
Allow for variation in size, shape, design & composition with thin pliable and
hairless skin,(no need for secondary thinning).
Harvested under regional block.
DISAVANTAGES
Donar site – functional and Cosmetic disadvantage.
Requirement for Local Rotational / Advancement flaps / Skin
Grafting.
Radius Fracture due to weakening of radius after harvesting
osteofasciocutaneous flaps.
Sacrifice major artery of forearm (exception-perforator flaps)
Preoperative evaluation
ALLENS TEST – Integrity of Palmar arch.
Looks for any previous injuries on forearm.
In elderly pts - look for atheroma in distal radial artery.
Nondominant > Dominant Limb.
No need for MRA / Angiography.
Xray of forearm – in osteocutaneous flaps to look for size, shape of
radius and ruleout old fractures.
Contraindicated in - post CABG, post A-V fistula, Peripheral vascular
diseases.
FLAP DESIGN
The skin is incised at the ulnar border through the subcutaneous fatty tissue
until the forearm fascia is reached. The fascia, which has a dense and tight
structure, is bluntly undermined above the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon
Step 2
The fascia is incised and elevated, until the tendon of the flexor carpi
ulnaris muscle is exposed. The paratenon, which envelopes the tendon, is
left untouched. The cut margin of the fascia is clearly visible.
Step 3
The further dissection is performed strictly underneath the fascia, and the
tendons of the FDS, PL muscles become visible. The fibrous attachments
between the undersurface of the forearm fascia and the paratenon are
carefully transected. The paratenon itself is to be preseved.
Step 4
Now the strong tendon of the flexor carpi radialis muscle is reached and
subsequently isolated from the forearm fascia in its distal portion.
Step 5
The radial artery is divided (after clamping and checking for vascularity) at the
distal border of the flap. In the perfused arm, the pulsation of the distal stump of
the radial artery, caused by the intact circulation through the palmar vessel
arches, is visible.
Step 7
Now the skin incision is made 1 cm radial to the artery down to the forearm
fascia. The cephalic vein and the superficial branches of the radial nerve are
left intact.
Step 8
It can be clearly seen that the undersurface of the flap is built by the forearm
fascia and that the vascular bundle is securely attached to the fascia by the
intermuscular septum.
Step 10
The skin incision is made at the proximal border of the flap, where one or more
cutaneous veins, which run superficial to the fascia, can be observed. If a vein
is identified coming from the central part of the flap, it can be left intact for
additional venous drainage. A wave-like skin incision is made for exposure of
the proximal segment of the vascular pedicle.
Step 11
Prior to incision of the forearm fascia, the superficial cutaneous vein is traced
proximally by careful subcutaneous dissection. The cutaneous antebrachial
nerve becomes visible, giving the opportunity to create a sensate flap.
Step 12
The forearm fascia is now incised between the bellies of the brachioradialis
and flexor digitorum muscles, and the vascular pedicle is exposed by
retracting the brachioradialis muscle.
Step 13
The vascular pedicle is traced proximally so that sufficient length for a safe
anastomosis is obtained. Excess pedicle length can lead to kinking of the
pedicle at the recipient site and cause vascular occlusion.
Step 14
At the end of flap raising, residual connections between the flap and the FCR
tendon are transected at the flap hilum, and the vascular pedicle is completely
freed from the donor site.
Step 15
Ligation of the pedicle is not performed until the recipient vessels are ready for
anastomosis..
For reliable perfusion of the flap, anastomosing the radial artery and one of the
deep radial veins is always safe and sufficient. Venous anastomosis requires
microsurgical experience. If a superficial vein is included, it can be used as
additional venous drainage
Flap Modifications
Reverse forearm flap – flap designed proximally, preserve wide fascial
attachments distally for good flap perfusion – preserve soft tissue distally for
adequate venous drainage.
Reverse Flap: Based on the retrograde flow through the deep palmar arch
and associated venae comitantes with the rotation point of the reverse flap
at the level of the wrist, the arc of rotation will allow coverage of defects of
the palmar and dorsal surfaces of the hand and thumb reconstruction.
Defect closure
FTG > STSG
Local advancement flaps based on ulnar artery (v-y)
Bilobed flap based on ulnar artery
use drain in these case and splint wrist in flexion for 5-7 days.
Osseous flap – a/e plaster for 3 wks F/B b/e for further 3 weeks.
Surgical considerations
Females – small venae comitantes – difficult to repair - consider superficial
veins.
Preserve paratenon – to prevent tendon tethering to graft / Graft failure.-
consider suprafascial dissection of flap.
Not more than 25% (<40%) of circumference of radius – If more than 25%
consider grafting / plating to prevent fractures.
Redo allens test before dividing radial artery – consider venous graft.
Donot fully exanguinate the limb – difficult vein identification.
Anamolous Superficial Ulnar artery – TRAP ( high origin and courses over
flexor muscles)
Flap uses
SOFT COMPOSITE
PLIABLE TISSUE
TISSUE TRANSFER
PREFABRI VASCULA
CATION R PEDICLE
OVER ALL SURVIVAL AND RELIABILITY OF RADIAL FOREARM
SUMA YALAMANCHILI, ROBERT M ROTATORI et al (2020), Radial Forearm Flap Donar Site Morbidity, A
Systemic Review . J Aesthet Reconstr Surg Vol.6 No.3:9.
Optimising Cosmetic Result of Donor Site
Always fix and immobilise skin graft with sutures and appropriate dressings.
Use volar splint to restrict movement of flexor tendons beneath skin graft.
Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) of the donor site for 1 week may
improve the graft bed by improving the bed vascularity, achieving granulation
tissue cover over exposed tendons and a smoother graft bed. A drawback is