The use of pedicled abdominal flap to salvage a necrotic forearm - a case study

Background: Pedicled abdominal and groin flaps have since the 70s and80s continued to provide reliable solutions for upper limb injuries that require flap cover. In recent times reconstructive surgeons have found the use of free flaps a better alternative. However, in centres where microsurgery facilities are not available or where the patient cannot afford such services, the pedicle flaps continue to have an important role. Interestingly, some literature states that the long term outcomes of successful pedicled flaps are equal or even better than free flaps. Abdominal flaps together with the groin flaps continue to be the workhorse flaps in the developing world as well as at our centre for major hand injuries with tissue loss.