Effects of the fasciocutaneous radial forearm flap on vascularity of the hand.

Twelve randomly selected fasciocutaneous radial forearm flaps underwent bilateral vascular analysis an average of 26 months following surgery. Digital temperature comparisons revealed an average 2.5% (0.8 degree C) decrease following use of the radial forearm flap. Doppler flow studies performed to determine the digital/brachial pressure indices revealed no significant difference between the donor (1.06) and control (1.08) extremities; however, Doppler pulse-volume recordings performed after cold stress testing revealed an 18% delay in reconstitution of normothermia in the radial forearm flap group compared to controls. Only two patients reported transient mild symptoms of cold intolerance, which resolved over time.