Our Experience with the Use of the Dorsal Ulnar Artery Flap in Hand and Wrist Tissue Cover

Abstract

We describe a series of six cases exploring the limits of reliability of the dorsal ulnar artery fasciocutaneous flap as described by Becker and Gilbert (1988a; b). Although the territory supplied by the dorsal ulnar artery is 10 cm to 20 cm long by 5 cm to 9 cm wide, Becker and Gilbert suggested that flaps should be confined to smaller dimensions. We have found that larger flaps (15 to 20 cm long and 5 to 8 cm wide) are feasible, extending the use of the flap to the radial side of the wrist and hand. However, problems were encountered with venous drainage and these larger flaps should be used with caution.