title: Further experience with the lateral arm free flap.
abstract: Our experience with the lateral arm free flap over the last 7 years was reviewed in detail, placing emphasis on the clinical aspects and modifications of the flap. A total of 150 patients have undergone reconstructive procedures with the flap for small to medium-sized defects. This included 18 split flaps, 11 osteocutaneous flaps, 6 with vascularized triceps tendon, 5 neurosensory flaps, and 5 fascia-fat flaps. The donor-site scar was generally acceptable; only 3 patients required scar revision and 15 patients required debulking of the flaps. With use of the split flap for wide defects, tension-free primary closure of the donor site can be achieved. In most cases, a two-team approach may be adopted, thereby increasing the efficiency of this microvascular transfer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Katsaros
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zoltie
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barton
authors.lastname: Venugopalsrinivasan
authors.lastname: Venkataramakrishnan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001132:Arm; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000601:surgery; D006257:Head / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*