Use of the Osteocutaneous Radial Epiphyseal Flap for Bone Reconstruction of the Hand

Since its first description in 1989, the use of the osteocutaneous radial epiphyseal flap has not been widely used. Fifteen island and free flaps were presented, among which 13 were in male patients, and 2 in female patients. The patient average age was 38 years (27 to 42 years). In 9 of the cases, the flap was used as a free flap, vascularized by the anterior interosseous artery. In the other 6 cases, a distally–based island flap was used. Eight of the15 flaps were osteocutaneous. The main indication was a bone reconstruction at the wrist, the thumb, and long fingers and in on of the cases, a nerve reconstruction.

One island flap failed. In the other cases, bone consolidation was obtained over a 3-month period of time on average. The dissection was intricate. The donor site was directly closed. A local anesthetic was used in all cases. The osteocutaneous radial epiphyseal flap proved to be a good alternative for a vascularized bone reconstruction of the hand.