We report reconstructive surgery using a flap based on the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery (SPBRA) , and evaluated the function of the wrist joint at the donor site. Four patients received free flaps from the SPBRA due to trauma and excision of tumors. The size of the flaps, length and diameter of the nutritional arteries, and survival rate were assessed. We also evaluated grip strength, DASH-JSSH, range-of-motion (ROM) of the wrist joint, and modified Mayo wrist score (MMWS) at the final follow-up. The mean size, diameter, and length of the nutritional arteries were 3.5 cm×1.9 cm, 1.2 mm, and 17 mm, respectively. In one patient, congestion occurred at the distal site of the flap. At the final follow-up, the mean ROM of the volar and the dorsal flexion were 71° and 78° , respectively. The mean DASH-JSSH score and MMWS were 7.1 and 86, respectively. Two patients complained of tenderness of the hypertrophic scar. The SPBRA flaps were useful for the reconstruction of defects of the volar skin without limiting the wrist motion, but attention should pay to partial necrosis at the distal site and hypertrophic scar formation.
