The composite radial forearm free flap: an anatomical guide to harvesting the radius

We made an anatomical study of 100 dried cadaveric radii to establish the dimensions of the maximum possible safe harvest of bone for the composite radial forearm flap and how this may be assessed during the operation. We found that the diameter of the radius from its medial to lateral border is consistently 1-3 mm less than 40% of the measured minimum circumference of the radius.