Posterior radial collateral artery as the basis of the lateral forearm flap

The lateral forearm flap is being increasingly used for covering minor-to-m oderate-sized defects for which soft and thin skin is required. Within the Framework of an anatomic study carried out on 28 cadaveric arms, the author s investigated the principal artery that supplies blood to this flap, namel y, the posterior radial collateral artery (PRCA). They found that distal to the lateral epicondyle, the PRCA lies in a constant axial line lateral to the brachioradialis muscle. The average length of the artery distal to the epicondyle is 8 cm. Distal to the epicondyle, side branches of the PRCA bui ld an arterial plexus 6 cm (+/-3.5 cm) long and 5 cm (+/-1.1 cm) wide. The posterior cutaneous antebrachii nerve lies close to the artery. This permit s the harvesting of a flap that is both innervated and has adequate vascula r supply.