[A free microsurgical transfer of a radial (Chinese) flap in reconstructing the lower limb].
The microsurgical transplantation of the radial flap to the hind limb has as main advantages to offer a good quality and sensitive skin cover, the possibility to use the flap's radial artery as a vascular bypass and to raise composite flaps with tendon or bone in case of complex reconstruction.


METHODS
The authors present 9 free radial flap transfers to the foot. Patients' ages ranged from 22 to 50 years. Flap dimensions varied between 7 x 5 cm and 12 x 9 cm. Two flaps contained the flexor carpi radialis tendon to reconstruct the Achilles' tendon and one flap included a bone graft from the radial shaft to resolve a bone defect in the second metatarsal. All flaps were reinnervated by suturing the antebrachial cutaneous nerve of the flap to a cutaneous nerve in the recipient site.


RESULTS
There was only one failure in an extensive crush injury. We recommend the radial flap in reconstructing complex defects for it's versatility and for the fact that it can include all types of tissue that may be necessary.
Stamate
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Clinica de Chirurgie Plastică şi Reconstructivă, Facultatea de Medicină, Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie Gr. T. Popa, Iaşi.
Budurcă
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AR
Tamaş
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C
Lazăr
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AN
D000328:Adult; D005528:Foot / Q000601:surgery*; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation