Upper limb salvage using a free radial forearm flap.
Microsurgical transfer of a skin flap salvaged from a nonreplantable upper extremity that would otherwise be discarded may provide essential soft-tissue coverage of the amputation stump, so maintaining a functional range of motion in the elbow joint. A radial forearm free flap measuring 24 cm long by 9 cm wide was salvaged from the degloved forearm skin of a patient who sustained a proximal forearm amputation that was considered unsuitable for replantation. This allowed coverage of the proximal radius and ulna, preservation of a functional elbow joint, and successful fitting of a below-elbow prosthesis.
D000672:Amputation Stumps; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000601:surgery*; D003646:Debridement; D005542:Forearm / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011884:Radius / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014457:Ulna / Q000601:surgery