Cutaneous perforators of the forearm: anatomic study for clinical application.

We studied the distribution of constant cutaneous perforators of the forearm.A total of 25 amputated forearms of 13 Korean fresh cadavers were used for the study. The specimens were fixed in formaldehyde solution and phenol mixture in low concentration. Red latex was injected into the axillary arteries of 8 specimens, and lead oxide-gelatin mixture (radiopaque material) was given into another 8. And then the cutaneous perforators were isolated by dissection and radiographed. Free fasciocutaneous flaps with the pedicles of cutaneous perforators were exploited in 9 specimens. Two fasciocutaneous perforators were constant on the flexor surface and 3 on the extensor side. Most of the emerging points of 2 flexor perforators were within each circle, with 2.5 cm (87.5%) and 3.0 cm (75%) in diameter, respectively. Most of the emerging points of 3 extensor perforators were within each circle, with 2.0 cm (87.5%), 1.5 cm (75%), and 2.0 cm (87.5%) in diameter, respectively.A knowledge of constant perforators of the forearm is conducive to the free skin cutaneous flaps to be designed safely.