Forearm Flap

Abstract

The forearm flap is a particularly useful skin transfer. This is a fasciocutaneous flap which includes the volar forearm skin, the underlying antebrachial fascia and the intermuscular fascia which contains the radial artery and cutaneous branches. Since the flap may include cutaneous nerves, flexor tendons and bone, it is a very versatile flap. When the medial and lateral antebrachial nerves are used, it becomes a well innervated fasciocutaneous flap. With a piece of the underlying radius, it becomes a vascularized osteocutaneous flap. If the palmaris longus and a longitudinal portion of the brachioradialis and flexor carpi radialis are included, it can be used for combined coverage of soft tissue defects and tendon reconstruction [4]. It is likely that with further elucidation of fascial vascular anatomy, many new flaps will be designed. A useful classification and list of currently available fasciocutaneous flaps has been compiled by Cormack and Lamberty.