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[Topographic and anatomic study of lateral upper arm transplants]
E Gehrking1, S Remmert, A Majocco
1Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Medizinischen Universität zu Lübeck, Deutschland.
Summary
The lateral upper arm free flap offers an alternative for head and neck cancer reconstruction, providing a thicker fasciocutaneous tissue transfer than the radial forearm flap.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Anatomy
- Microsurgery
Context:
- Free microvascular tissue transfer is crucial for reconstructing defects after head and neck cancer ablation.
- The radial forearm flap is a common choice but has drawbacks like skin graft necessity and cosmetic deformity.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the lateral upper arm free flap as an alternative to the radial forearm flap for reconstructive surgery.
- To detail the anatomy, harvesting, and vascular characteristics of the lateral upper arm flap.
Summary:
- Dissections of ten cadavers revealed the lateral upper arm flap's anatomy and vascular supply (brachial artery 2.5 mm, posterior radial collateral artery 1.8 mm).
- The flap offers a pedicle length up to 13 cm and thicker subcutaneous tissue compared to the radial flap, suitable for facial augmentation or soft tissue reconstruction.
- Disadvantages include a difficult dissection and potential loss of forearm sensation; the radial forearm flap is preferred when a fasciocutaneous flap is indicated.
Impact:
- Provides valuable anatomical data for surgeons considering the lateral upper arm flap.
- Highlights potential applications in facial augmentation and soft tissue reconstruction.
- Offers a comparative analysis to guide flap selection in head and neck reconstruction.