ONE REAL ADVANTAGE OF THE DISTALLY BASED POSTERIOR INTEROSSEOUS ISLAND FLAP

This paper describes and discusses some clinical applications of the p osterior interosseous forearm flap in hand reconstruction, including t he fact that damage to the radial artery or palmar arches was present. This vascular advantage is illustrated in three clinical cases of han d trauma where a positive Alien test was present. Another real advanta ge is the availability of the normal venous and arterial flow patterns of the radial vessels as receptor vessels for later free tissue trans fer. This point is also illustrated in one clinical case of thumb reco nstruction by a second toe transfer.