title: Perforator anatomy of the radial forearm free flap versus the ulnar forearm free flap for head and neck reconstruction.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the vascular anatomy of the distal forearm in order to optimize the choice between the radial forearm free flap and the ulnar forearm free flap and to select the best site to harvest the flap. The radial and ulnar arteries of seven fresh cadavers were injected with epoxy resin (Araldite) and the perforating arteries were dissected. The number of clinically relevant perforators from the radial and ulnar arteries was not significantly different in the distal forearm. Most perforators were located in the proximal half of the distal one third, making this part probably the safest location for flap harvest. Close to the wrist, i.e. most distally, there were more perforators on the ulnar side than on the radial side. The ulnar artery stained 77% of the skin surface area of the forearm, showing the ulnar forearm free flap to be more suitable than the radial forearm free flap for the restoration of large defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Hekner
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Division of Surgical Specialties, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
authors.forename: T A P
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Roeling
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands. Electronic address: e.m.vancann@umcutrecht.nl.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Van Cann
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D006257:Head / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery*; D061525:Perforator Flap / Q000098:blood supply*; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D060053:Transplant Donor Site / Q000098:blood supply*; D014457:Ulna; D017535:Ulnar Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
keywords: cadaver; free forearm flap; head and neck reconstruction; radial artery; ulnar artery; vascular anatomy