Soft-tissue coverage for the elbow

Coverage of soft-tissue defects about the elbow ranges from direct wound closure to free tissue transfer. Early split thickness skin grafting is vital to preserving range of motion in burn patients. Useful regional flaps include the flexor carpi ulnaris, brachioradialis, lateral arm, and radial forearm. The latissimus dorsi is the primary distant pedicled flap with great potential for use as a functionalized transfer. Other often used free flaps include the parascapular and scapular flaps, rectus flap, and gracilis flap.