The radial forearm flap: experiences with the extraordinary procedure

Radial forearm flap has been increasingly used universally and is now a routine in most plastic surgery units. We developed the technique of Extracorporeal transfer of this flap for the benefit of those who do not have approach to the microsurgical methods. We at the same time used it as an Island flap and as a free flap depending upon the requirements and the feasibility of its transfer. Since 1985 till now we have used 40 such flaps for a variety of defects, such as for head and neck reconstruction including that of maxilla, for intraoral reconstructions, upper and lower extremity reconstruction, penile and oesophageal reconstructions. We present our experience of past 6 years on 40 flaps.