[Forum: cover flaps of the upper limb. In practice: indications of pedicled flaps of the upper limb].

The author analyses the historical development and disadvantages of pedicled island flaps of the upper limb. The various procedures for skin cover of the upper limb are described region by region: shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, hand and fingers. The large number of these procedures means that the reconstructive surgeon would have to be able to master all techniques and indications. Adopting an eclectic approach, the author proposes two main flaps: the latissimus dorsi muscle to cover the proximal region of the upper limb and the pedicled inguinal flap for the distal upper limb.