ANATOMIC BASIS FOR THE DORSAL RADIAL FLAP OF THE THUMB - CLINICAL-APPLICATIONS

The pattern of the dorsal arterial supply of the thumb was studied by the dissection of 25 thumbs of fresh cadavers. A constant vascular axi s was found, originating at the radial a. and communicating at the lev el of the middle third of the proximal phalanx with the arterial palma r circuit. The constant presence of this vascular axis and its connect ion with the phalanx circuit permits the mobilisation of a dorsal meta carpal skin flap, with a distal pedicle and a reversed flow, that can be used for covering dorsal and palmar losses of substance in the thum b.