ABSTRACT
The lateral arm flap has been one of the mainstays in the armamentarium of microvascular
reconstructive surgeons, especially in the cover of small to medium-sized defects.
Despite its many advantages, its widespread application has been limited by its small
skin paddle. As a result of detailed anatomic and dye-injection studies, it is possible
to determine the actual extent of the cutaneous vascular supply of this flap, which
is derived from the posterior radial collateral artery. This artery is found to extend
significantly beyond the elbow and into the radial aspect of the upper forearm and,
through clinical illustrations, it can be shown that a much larger flap can be harvested
and used in a manner that is more versatile than the conventional lateral arm flap.
