Superficial lateral arm flap for post-burn antecubital contractures

This paper presents a new variant of the distally based lateral arm fasciocutaneous flap that involves a straightforward and easy dissection as no specific vessel identification or inclusion is needed. Ten fresh cadavers were dissected to study the vascular supply. All three recurrent arteries-radial, ulnar, and interosseus-nourish the flap. The study also identified muscular perforators from the radial recurrent artery, piercing brachioradialis, and, in addition, septocutaneous perforators from the ulnar and interosseous recurrent arteries entering the base of the flap. Clinical application in 12 patients with upper limb burns including antecubital fossa contracture is also reported. This is a reliable and reproducible flap. The clinical dissection is straightforward and easy, with no need to identify or include a specific vessel at the base of the flap. Harvest requires neither the microscope nor loupes and can be done without a tourniquet, so it can be used in even the most modest surgical settings.