title: Superficial ulnar artery perforator flap.
abstract: Superficial ulnar artery is a rare finding but shows significant surgical implications. Its thinness and pliability make this flap an excellent solution for soft tissue reconstruction, especially in the head and neck region. We hereby report a successful free superficial ulnar artery perforator forearm flap transfer for tongue reconstruction. A 64-year-old man presenting with a squamous cell carcinoma of the left tongue underwent a wide resection of the tumor, left radical neck dissection, and reconstruction of the tongue and the left tonsillar pillar with the mentioned flap. No complications were observed postoperatively. The flap survived completely; no recurrence at 6 months of follow-up was detected. Superficial ulnar artery perforator flap has shown to be a safe alternative to other free tissue flaps in specific forearm anatomic conditions.
authors.affiliation: From the Chirurgia Plastica, Ricostruttiva ed Estetica, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schonauer
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marlino
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Turrà
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Graziano
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dell'Aversana Orabona
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000637:transplantation; D005927:Glossectomy / Q000379:methods; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection; D061525:Perforator Flap / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D060053:Transplant Donor Site / Q000601:surgery; D017535:Ulnar Artery / Q000637:transplantation*