Urethral reconstruction using the radial artery forearm free flap: conventional and prefabricated.

For successful reconstruction of the scarred urethra it is logical to employ well-vascularized skin flaps. The radial artery forearm free flap is ideal for this purpose. This paper describes the first seven consecutive patients in whom we have used this flap for urethral reconstruction. In one, the forearm skin was too hirsute for urethral lining, and a prefabricated hairless skin flap was created by application of a preliminary full-thickness skin graft from a nonhairy site onto the forearm fascia. The longest follow-up is 5 1/2 years.