Distal radial fasciocutaneous flap.

A fasciocutaneous flap on the radial aspect of the distal forearm is an axial flap based on a branch of the distal part of the radial artery. The flap is reinforced by the fasciocutaneous arteries arising from the dorsal carpal rete. The vascular anatomy and the cutaneous territorial definition of the flap has been studied by cadaveric dissection of injected specimens using coloured latex and methylene blue solution. The flap measuring 5 x 7 cm with a pedicle length of 2.5 cm can be harvested to resurface the skin defect on the palmar and dorsal surface of the wrist, carpometacarpal and base of the first metacarpal bone.