[The reverse forearm flap pedicled with the ulnar branch of the ulnar artery].
OBJECTIVE
To introduce a new flap for the repair of soft tissue defects in the hand.


METHODS
The distally pedicled ulnar flap is based on the ascending branch of the upper-wrist cutaneous branch of the ulnar artery. The retrograde flow is ensured by the dorsal carpal arch via the descending branch.


RESULTS
From 2000 to 2003, the flap was used to treat 8 cases of hand defects, including 3 dorsal defects, 2 palmar defects and 3 the first web defects. All flaps survived and the appearance was satisfactory.


CONCLUSIONS
The reverse forearm flap pedicled with the ulnar branch of the ulnar artery provides a long vascular pedicle. The donor site scar is aesthetically acceptable.
Lu
Jian-bing
JB
Hangzhou Plastic Hospital, Hangzhou, China.
Song
Jian-liang
JL
Wu
Shou-cheng
SC
Shen
Xiang-qian
XQ
Ye
Po
P
Chen
Qiang
Q
Wang
Lei
L
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D017535:Ulnar Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D014953:Wrist