Simultaneous soft-tissue reconstruction and revascularization of the thumb with a flow-through distally-pedicled radial forearm flap.

The authors report the application of the flow-through concept to a distally-pedicled radial forearm flap for simultaneous thumb revascularization and soft-tissue coverage. A distally-pedicled radial forearm flap was used to cover a skin defect at the base of thumb and thenar area. The flap artery (reversed radial artery) was anastomosed to the distal ends of the defective digital arteries. The flap survived completely, and the thumb was well-vascularized.