title: Effects of the fasciocutaneous radial forearm flap on vascularity of the hand.
abstract: Twelve randomly selected fasciocutaneous radial forearm flaps underwent bilateral vascular analysis an average of 26 months following surgery. Digital temperature comparisons revealed an average 2.5% (0.8 degree C) decrease following use of the radial forearm flap. Doppler flow studies performed to determine the digital/brachial pressure indices revealed no significant difference between the donor (1.06) and control (1.08) extremities; however, Doppler pulse-volume recordings performed after cold stress testing revealed an 18% delay in reconstitution of normothermia in the radial forearm flap group compared to controls. Only two patients reported transient mild symptoms of cold intolerance, which resolved over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis 46260.
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Kleinman
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: O'Connell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000098:blood supply*; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012881:Skin Temperature; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods