British journal of plastic surgery
-
Comparative Study
Evaluation of the donor site morbidity after lateral arm flap with skin paddle extending over the elbow joint.
The free lateral arm flap may be extended to include the skin over the lateral aspect of the elbow and the forearm. However, extending the flap beyond the lateral condyle has been thought to interfere with the elbow function. The aim of this study was to assess the donor site morbidity after placement of the skin paddle across the lateral aspect of the elbow joint. ⋯ However, an area of hypoaesthesia with a mean size of 45 cm(2)(range 20-75 cm(2)) was found on the posterolateral surface of the forearm. Patient satisfaction with the donor site was rated high. From this retrospective review it appears that elbow function was not significantly affected by extending or planning the lateral arm flap over the lateral condyle.