Medial arm fasciocutaneous island flap coverage of an electrical burn of the upper extremity.

Deep tissue necrosis following debridement of electrical injuries can be so severe that amputation of the limb is often necessary. To preserve function and partially devitalized structures, and to lessen the necessity for amputation, several debridements followed by coverage with a vascularized fasciocutaneous flap can be advantageous. This article reports a successful case of a medial upper arm fasciocutaneous island flap used to cover a defect of the upper arm caused by an electrical burn. An angiography revealed that the ulnar collateral artery was not occluded, and thus it was used in the flap with successful results. The donor defect was closed primarily and did not require a skin graft.