The reverse lateral upper arm flap for elbow coverage.

Closure of soft tissue defects in the vicinity of the elbow has been attempted by numerous methods. The reverse lateral upper arm flap was conceived by applying concepts of previous work. Cadaver studies demonstrated the cutaneous territory and vascular anatomy of this region. The nature of the posterior recurrent radial artery and its perforators allows this fasciocutaneous flap to be perfused in a retrograde fashion. The flap can be used for covering various soft tissue defects around the elbow in a single stage with acceptable donor site morbidity. A case is presented in which the flap was used in a reverse flow fashion to cover an 8 X 11 cm acute cubital defect present after soft tissue release. Operative technique is discussed.