[Anatomical study of interosseous flaps and the concept of postero-anterior interosseous flap. Preliminary report].

The postero-anterior interosseous flap uses the distal network of the posterior and anterior interosseous arteries. With this flap the authors would like to point out all the possibilities of reverse fascio-cutaneous flaps offered by the interosseus arteries. An anatomic study has been carried out with both a literature review and a cadaveric study. The authors studied the distal interosseous anatomy on 40 fresh upper arms after colored latex injection of the anterior interosseous artery near its origin. A distal anastomosis between anterior and posterior interosseous arteries was present in 38 cases. This anastomosis was situated at an average of 25 mm from the radio-carpal joint. The authors found the fascio-cutaneous artery branch of the anterior interosseous flap in 40 cases, but its origin is variable. Therefore, the anterior interosseous flap was possible in every case but the pedicle length was variable. The surgical technique must begin by a distal exploration of the vascular network. After this exploration the flap is chosen in function with the anatomic possibilities and the cutaneous defect. The authors have already used several kinds of reverse interosseous flap: anterior (6 cases), posterior (11 cases) and recently, postero-anterior (2 cases). With the postero-anterior flap the authors will show the large range of flap possibilities offered by the interosseous arteries for the cutaneous defects of the dorsum of the hand.