[Evaluation of the clinical application of 5 kinds of free upper arm flaps].

At present, there are mainly 5 kinds of free upper arm flaps selected for clinical application: superior-lateral, middle-lateral, inferior-lateral and medial and posterior upper arm flaps. We have performed 17 transplantations using the 5 kinds of the free flaps since 1983, 16 cases with satisfied results. Among the 17 transplantations, 8 flaps were superior-lateral, 4 middle-lateral, 1 inferior-lateral, 2 medial and 2 posterior up arm flaps. The flaps were used for repairing 12 defects on hands, 4 on faces, and 1 on elbow. The maximum size of the flaps is 19 x 11 cm, the minimum 6 x 9 cm. We believe that: (1) the flaps of upper arms are suitable for the reconstruction of small defects of both hands and faces; (2) among the 5 kinds of free flaps, the superior-lateral flap has more advantages than the others; (3) the main principle of the transplantation is to know the landmarks of the vessels as well as to distinguish the muscular spaces passed by the vessels.