title: [Anatomical study of improved lateral arm free flap].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the anatomy and preparation methods of an improved lateral arm free flap (LAFF) for the future clinical application.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two adult upper extremities from cadavers after injected with red latex through common carotid arteries were used. The course, branches, distribution and variations of the blood vessels and nerves of the improved LAFF were observed. The outer diameters of the vessels were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean length of vascular pedicle of the improved LAFF was (14.85 ± 1.28) cm, significantly more than that (5.46 ± 2.60) of traditional LAFF (t = -8.483, P < 0.001). The mean outer diameters of pedicle arteries and veins in the improved LAFF were (2.24 ± 0.66) mm and (2.22 ± 0.52) mm, significantly more than those (1.15 ± 0.21 and 1.26 ± 0.23) in traditional LAFF (t = -8.690, P < 0.001; t = -15.057, P < 0.001), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The improved LAFF has a longer vascular pedicle and larger artery and vein in diameter than conventional LAFF, and is more suitable for the repair of the small and medium-sized defects of the head and neck.
authors: Department of Head and Neck Carcinoma Research Centre, Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650118, China.
authors: Rui-mei
authors: RM
authors: Sun
authors: Jin-de
authors: JD
authors: Wang
authors: Qun
authors: Q
authors: Li
authors: Jie
authors: J
authors: Yang
authors: Guo-ping
authors: GP
authors: Li
authors: Liu-fang
authors: LF
authors: Zhao
authors: Zong-liang
authors: ZL
authors: Liu
authors: Xiao-jiang
authors: XJ
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D016038:Skin Transplantation