EFFECTS OF THE FASCIOCUTANEOUS RADIAL FOREARM FLAP ON VASCULARITY OF THE HAND

Twelve randomly selected fasciocutaneous radial forearm flaps underwen t bilateral vascular analysis an average of 26 months following surger y Digital temperature comparisons revealed an average 2.5% (0.8 degree s C) decrease following use oi the radial forearm flap. Doppler flow s tudies performed to determine the digital/brachial pressure indices re vealed no significant difference between the donor (1.06) and control (1.08) extremities; however, Doppler pulse-volume recordings performed alter cold stress testing revealed an 18% delay in reconstitution of normothermia in the radial forearm flap group compared to controls Onl y two patients reported transient mild symptoms of cold intolerance, w hich resolved over time.