title: Awkward defects around the elbow: The radial recurrent artery flap revisited.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Soft tissue defects on the posterior aspect of the elbow are commonly seen in patients treated with internal fixation for fractures around the elbow joint. An axial flap based on the radial recurrent artery (RRA) is very useful for such defects, especially if a posterior midline arm incision has been taken for skeletal fixation. The aim of this study is to describe the usefulness of RRA flap (based on the RRA) in the management of such defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a retrospective analysis of 4 cases managed with the RRA flap for soft tissue reconstruction of defects around the elbow joint at our institute from January 2015 to August 2016. All the patients were males with a history of exposed implant following internal fixation of olecranon/distal humerus fracture. The size of defects ranged from 4 cm × 4 cm to 7 cm × 5 cm. Results of the analysis are presented here.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All flaps survived completely. There was no infection, hematoma or distal neurovascular deficit. There was minimal donor site morbidity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The RRA flap is a useful, simple flap for defects around the elbow joint in select patients providing one stage, reliable, cosmetically acceptable coverage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Maksud M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Devale
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Rohit P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Munot
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Chirag A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bhansali
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Neeraj D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Bhaban
keywords: Local flap; posterior elbow defect; radial recurrent artery