Purpose: The antecubital flap described in 1983 by Lamberti and Cormak fed by the first proximal collateral of the radial artery is not widely used. We propose a clinical series of seven patients where this flap was used to demonstrate its interest for elbow substance loss.

Material and method: Our series included seven patients operated on between 1998 and 2000. There were six men and one woman, mean age 33.5 years (2′–53). Tissue loss ranged form 20 to 90cm2. Tissue harvesting ranged from 20 to 108 cm2. For four cases the tissue loss was limited to the olecranon and the epitrochlear area in a traffic accident victim. In all cases bone exposure required coverage. The lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm was harvested in all cases with the flap to provide adequate sensitivity. Mean operative time was 1 h 15 min.

Results: All flaps survived. Elbow amplitudes remained normal. Sensorial disorders resulting form the lateral cutaneous nerve removal from the forearm were considered insignificant by all patients. The patients found the scar to be satisfactory.

Discussion: There have been few reports on the usefulness of this flap. Our clinical experience suggests the antecubital flap is a reliable flap which is easy and rapid to perform.