[The cubital flap].

The authors describe a flap with a pedicle derived from the dorsal branch of the ulnar artery. The ulnar artery gives rise to the dorsal ulnar artery 2 to 5 cm before the pisiform. This artery passes under the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle, accompanied by the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve. It supplies an area 10 to 20 cm long by 5 to 9 cm wide on the ulnar side of the forearm and it also supplies the skin lying over the last three metacarpals on the dorsum of the hand and the Vth abductor. This artery also sends a branch to flexor carpi ulnaris and to the pisiform. It is now possible to trace a large flap in the forearm without interrupting the arterial axis. Large defects of the dorsum of the hand, wrist, thenar and hypothenar eminences can be covered by this pedicle or island flap. This artery is remarkably constant. Five clinical cases are presented.