One real advantage of the distally based posterior interosseous island flap

This paper describes and discusses some clinical applications of the posterior interosseous forearm flap in hand reconstruction, including the fact that damage to the radial artery or palmar arches was present. This vascular advantage is illustrated in three clinical cases of hand trauma where a positive Alien test was present. Another real advantage is the availability of the normal venous and arterial flow patterns of the radial vessels as receptor vessels for later free tissue transfer. This point is also illustrated in one clinical case of thumb reconstruction by a second toe transfer.