An arterial medial arm flap--vascular anatomy and clinical applications.

We describe the vascular distribution to the skin of the arm as determined by cadaver dye injections and anatomical dissection. The superior ulnar collateral cutaneous artery provides a direct cutaneous branch that supplies the proximal two-thirds of the medial arm. An arterialized flap from the medial arm is very thin, elastic, and hairless--therefore excellent for hand resurfacing and facial reconstruction. Five examples of the use of arm skin from 21 patients using local and distant flaps are shown. The indications, methods, and anatomical bases for flap delay are detailed. The Doppler flow meter is used to determine artery position.