The distally based lateral arm flap for intraoral soft tissue reconstruction

Abstract

The distal lateral arm flap (LAF) represents an interesting and reliable alternative to the fasciocutaneous radial forearm flap. The positioning of the skin paddle over the lateral epicondyle and the proximal third of the lateral aspect of the forearm increases pedicle length, thus avoiding the use of vein grafts. Dissection is straightforward with a reliable vascular anatomy. Moreover, in this area, the limited amount of subcutaneous fatty tissue ensures easier placement and more pliability when compared with the standard LAF.