Abstract
Because of its long and stable pedicle, the radial forearm flap is very useful for
salvage operations in which there are few choices of recipient vessels. However, pedicle
length deficiency and size discrepancy of anastomotic vessels still exist. In such
cases, the radial recurrent artery that bifurcates from the radial artery can be used
as an anastomotic vessel. Anatomical variations of the recurrent radial artery were
studied in 18 cadavers. The branch types were classified as branch from radial artery
(Type A), branch from radial artery root (Type B), branch from brachial artery (Type
C), and branch from ulnar artery (Type D). Radial artery and radial recurrent artery
diameters were measured. The radial recurrent artery was used as an anastomotic vessel
in four salvage operations. Branching type variations were Type A: 61.1%, Type B:
33.3%, Type C: 0%, and Type D: 5.6%. Radial recurrent artery diameter was 1.84 ± 0.59
mm at the 20 mm point from bifurcation. In clinical cases, all flaps survived without
any anastomotic difficulties. Thus, anastomosis using radial recurrent artery vessels
is recommended as a strategy in free radial forearm transplantation for salvage operations.
Keywords
radial recurrent artery - radical forearm flap - reconstruction
