One-staged coverage and revascularisation of traumatised limbs by a flow-through radial mid-forearm free flap.

The concept of flow-through circulation in free flaps is an interesting and useful one. Its importance is paramount in the clinical field, if one applies it as a one-staged technique for cover and revascularisation in major trauma of the extremities. This paper describes the practical use of this concept in two clinical cases (hand and foot), in which an uninterrupted arterial and venous flow was established through the radial mid-forearm fasciocutaneous flap, allowing revascularisation of the ischaemic extremity.