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