Distally Based Dorsal Forearm Fasciosubcutaneous Flap

Use of a local flap is often required for the reconstruction of a skin defect on the dorsum of the hand. For this purpose, a distally based dorsal forearm fasciosubcutaneous flap based on the perforators of the posterior interosseous artery was developed. From 1997 until 2002, this flap was used to re-construct skin defects on the dorsum of the hand in nine patients at Chonnam National University Medical School. The sizes of these flaps ranged from 10 to 14 cm in length and from 5 to 7 cm in width. The flaps survived in all patients. Marginal loss over the distal edge of the flap was noted in one patient. Three flaps that developed minimal skin-graft loss were treated successfully with a subsequent split-thickness skin graft. The long-term follow-up showed good flap dura-bility and elasticity. The distally based dorsal forearm fascio-subcutaneous flap is a convenient and reliable alternative fo