Duplication of the radial artery in the radial forearm flap

The forearm radial flap is currently and widely used free flap, based on the branches of the radial artery, and which, additionally, could contain bone, tendons, or cutaneous nerves. Variations of the radial artery were recently encountered and presented during the elevation of such a flap in 32-year-old male, who sustained war gunshot injury of the left hand. This is the first reported case of a double radial artery in a radial forearm flap in our country, which successfully survived on the recipient hand, although its surface was at the lower threshold for the application of a vascular graft. In rising of the radial forearm flap, pre- and postoperative evaluation of arteries is advisable. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.