The radial artery perforator-based adipofascial flap for dorsal hand coverage.

Abstract

The radial artery perforator-based adipofascial flap seems to be suitable for resurfacing defects on the dorsal hand. This flap is classified as one of the distally based intertendinous septocutaneous flaps, which are supplied by the dorsal superficial branch of the radial artery. The advantages of this flap are (1) surgery is minimal, of short duration, and associated with minimal donor scarring; (2) the perforator of the flap encompasses a wide and long territory of adipofascial tissue; (3) there is no postoperative functional limitation; (4) freedom of arm movement allows better control of postoperative edema, early physiotherapy, and mobilization; (5) soft-tissue coverage actively contributes to the vascularity of the hand; and (6) the donor forearm cutaneous veins and cutaneous nerves can be preserved.