A radial forearm flap based on an extended dissection of the cephalic vein. The longest venous pedicle? Case report.
A radial forearm flap based on the cephalic vein was elevated to resurface a defect in the left auricular region. The cephalic vein was dissected up to the clavicle and the flap was transferred through a subcutaneous tunnel to the defect. The radial artery was anastomosed to the stump of the external carotid artery using a vein graft. The flap pursued an uneventful course and survived completely. This showed that the long venous pedicle (47 cm) could drain the flap safely and sufficiently.
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014680:Veins / Q000637:transplantation