Haemodynamic changes in the fingers after free radial forearm flap transfer: a prospective study using SPP

Harvesting the free radial forearm flap reduces skin perfusion in the fingers of the donor arm and, we assume, leads to a re-distribution of blood flow to the fingers, with the residual ulnar artery still supplying more blood flow to finger I than to finger V. This suggests the presence of an autoregulating mechanism whereby blood perfusion to the fingers is controlled by the physiological demands of individual fingers.