Versatility of the Posterior Interosseous Artery Flap in Outpatient

The posterior interosseous artery flap is a valuable tool and should be included in every upper extremity surgeon’s armamentarium. The versatile and reliable posterior interosseous artery flap, also referred to as the dorsal interosseous artery flap, has been used for over 30 years to reconstruct defects about the hand. However, few authors describe its use in reconstructing defects about the elbow, despite its proximity. In the right setting, the posterior interosseous artery flap can be performed as an outpatient procedure, reducing exposure to nosocomial infection, avoiding unnecessary inpatient testing, and reducing cost to the patient.