Radial nerve morbidity in radial artery free flaps: harvest of cephalic vein versus venae comitantes.

Background: The purpose of the present paper was to determine the radial nerve morbidity associated with harvest of different venous conduits in the radial artery free flap.
Methods: Retrospective study comparing subjective and objective symptoms of radial nerve morbidity in 51 consecutive free flaps over a 3-year period.
Results: Damage to the radial nerve occurred in 9% (1/11) of patients in the cephalic vein group versus 18% (4/28) in the venae comitante group.
Conclusions: Raising the cephalic vein for venous drainage in the radial artery free flap doubles the incidence of radial nerve morbidity.