Doppler ultrasonography as a pre-operative aid to base the forearm flap on the radial or ulnar artery.
The elevation of a forearm flap based on the ulnar artery has been described as an alternative to a flap based on the radial artery. Despite the fact that 15-30% of operated patients complain of symptoms in the hand due to impaired circulation, this flap is still regularly raised upon the radial artery. Using Doppler ultrasonographic examination before elevating the forearm flap, the dominant artery to the hand can be determined. The preliminary experience in 11 patients operated upon (the flap has been based upon the ulnar artery five times) is satisfactory. None complained of weakness of the hand, a feeling of coldness or cold intolerance.
Dost
P
P
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Essen, Germany.
Rudofsky
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017535:Ulnar Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler