Purpose: Soft tissue coverage of the posterior aspect of the elbow requires thin and flexible flaps to adapt to movements without constraining them. The authors report a clinical series of reconstruction by the descending superficial radial artery (DSRA) flap, a proximal forearm perforator flap which use is rarely reported in the literature.
Methods: Seven patients with a mean age of 50 years (range 24-88 years) were treated for a posterior elbow defect using the DSRA flap with an adipofascial pedicle. The flap was tunneled to the defect in the subcutaneous tissue or raised using the racket-like technique to avoid any pedicle compression.
Results: The mean follow-up was 3.3 months (range 1-12 months). A partial necrosis of the skin paddle occurred in an 88-year-old patient. In the other cases, the flap evolution was straightforward. At the last follow-up, the appearance of the flaps was satisfactory in terms of color, texture, and thickness. No complications were observed at the donor site.
Conclusion: The DSRA flap with an adipofascial pedicle is a simple, reliable, and reproducible method for reconstruction of small to moderate-sized defect on the posterior aspect of the elbow. Its use is easier for defects on the posterolateral side, but it can reach the medial olecranon.
Keywords: Descending superficial radial artery; Elbow coverage; Perforator flap.
© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany.