The pronator quadratus muscle flap

Traumatic injuries to the distal forearm present a challenging problem for soft tissue coverage.There is a need for a local flap to provide a vascularized soft tissue bed. This article demonstratesthe anatomic basis that enables the pronator quadratus muscle potentially to fulfill these needs. (JHAND SURG 9A:423-27, 1984.)

A. Lee Dellon, M.D., F.A.C.S., and Susan E. Mackinnon, M.D., F.R.C.S.(C),*

Baltimore, Md.

Stimulated by Ger’s~ use of muscle flaps

to provide soft tissue coverage in the lower extremity,a period of intense investigation has culminated in anencyclopedic variety of reliable myocutaneous flaps"available for use virtually throughout the body. Thedistal forearm, however, is an area devoid of superficialexpendable muscles and is therefore of limited myocu-taneous flap potential. The groin flap has been the mostfrequently used flap for coverage in the distal fore-arlTl.3’ 4 The distal flexor aspect of the forearm wouldbenefit from the availability of a local muscle flap toprovide a bed for skin grafting over exposed vital struc-tures and to provide a well-vascularized bed for a nervegraft for implantation of sensory nerves after neuromaresection5, 6 or elective amputation. This flap couldprovide a nutritive interface between an internally lysednerve and overlying dysesthetic Or adherent skin.7 Thisarticle describes the anatomic basis for the use of thepronator quadratus muscle flap to satisfy these needs inthe distal upper extremity.

Anatomic dissections

Cadaveric dissections were performed on 16 upperextremities in eight cadavers. The muscle was found toaverage 5 cm in length and 4 cm in width (with theforearm supinated). There was no significant variationbetween right and left or male and female extremities.

From the Curtis Hand Center, Union Memorial Hospital, and theDivision of Plastic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore,.rid.

~eceived for publication April 18, 1983; accepted in revised formAug. 5, 1983.

Reprint requests: A. Lee Dellon, M.D., the Hampton Plaza, 300 E.10ppa Rd., Baltimore, MD 21204.

"Present address: Division of Plastic Surgery, Sunnybrook MedicalCenter, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview, Toronto, Ontario,Canada,

The neurovascular bundle uniformly consisted of theanterior interosseous artery and nerve lying on theflexor surface of the interosseous membrane and enter-ing the muscle on its dorsal surface. The neurovascularbundle lies on the midlongitudinal axis of the limb andenters the muscle between I and 2 cm distal to itsproximal edge. At this point, the dorsal branch of theartery pierces the interosseous membrane. A series ofperforating vessels are found at 2 cm intervals proximalto the leading edge of the muscle. These vessels branchfrom the anterior interosseous vessels and pierce theinterosseous membrane. If the dissection of the neu-rovascu]ar bundle is carried proximally as far as thefirst branch of the anterior interosseous nerve to theflexor pollicis longus, then the muscle can be raised ona neurovascular pedicle that is 5 to 6 cm in length. Thisprovide.,; an arc of motion that will allow coverage ofthe distal forearm and the medial and lateral aspects ofthe wrist (Fig. 1).

Surgical technique

The pronator quadratus muscle may be approachedthrough any preexisting palmar wrist scar or longitudi-nal incision. The proximal limit of the incision must beextended, usually to 12 cm proximal to the wrist creaseto permit dissection of the neurovascular pedicle.

Before dissection of the pronator muscle, the neces-sary exploration and dissection are carried out. Themajority of the required procedures can be performed,leaving only the more delicate operative procedures(such as nerve grafting) until after the pronator qua-dratus muscle is elevated.

Elevation of the muscle flap is facilitated first byapproaching the muscle radially between the flexor pro-fundus rnuscle group and the flexor pollicus longus ten-don (Figs. 2 and 3). The distal edge of the muscle divided sharply from the radius and ulna, and the ter-minal branches of the anterior interosseous artery and

THE JOURNAL OF HAND SURGERY 423

424 Dellon and Mackinnon

The Journal ofHAND SURGERY

Fig. 1. Left. The pronator quadratus muscle shown schematically supplied by the anterior interosse-ous neurovascular bundle with vessels perforating the interosseous membrane. Center, The arc ofrotation of the pronator quadratus muscle flap allows coverage of the medial and lateral aspects of

the forearm and distally to the proximal wrist crease. Right. The flap may be extended superficiallyby either a radial or ulnar route.

Table I. Clinical data

PatientAge(yr) WCB

previous handoperations

A. C, 26 F No 6t.M. 42 F Yes 3E.W. 25 M No 2D.H. 30 M Yes 2B.C. 38 M No 2

R.N. 37 M Yes 1

J.B. 38 M No 10

R.C. 38 M Yes 4D.C. 25 M No 2

Operation performedwith PQM flap

Neurolysis, median nerveNeurolysis. median nerveNeurolysis. ulnar nerveNeurolysis, median nerveNeurolysis, median nerve: exci-

sion, ncuroma. PCM. tenolysisNeurolysis. median nerve: exci-

sion, neuroma. PCMNeurolysis. median nerve: exci-

sion. neuroma. PCM, tenolysisMedian nerve graft, tenolysisMedian and ulnar nerve graft

Follow-up

2721181413

10

1616

WCB. Workmen’s Compensation Board: PCM, palmar cutaneous branch of median nerve.

nerves are divided (Fig. 2, B). The insertion of the,,

pronator onto the radius is next divided by an incision

at the most radial border with a scalpel and then by

elevation more medially to the interosseous membrane,,

with an elevator. There are deep muscle fibers on the

ulnar border of the interosseous membrane. Although

the origin of the pronator from the ulna may be reached

through this approach, the next step is facilitated by

development of a plane between the profundus muscle

and the flexor carpi ulnaris. Here the ulnar border of the

Vol. 9A, No. 3May 1984 Pronator quadratus muscle flap 425

muscle is incised and the medial dissection is per-formed with the elevator. The muscle may now be dis-sected from distal to proximal aspects by gentle trac-tion, elevating it from the interosseous membrane untilthe dorsal branch of the anterior interosseous arterytethers the elevation (Fig. 2, C). Next, the anteriorinterosseous neurovascular bundle is identified proxi-mally and dissected to this same tethering point. Themembrane is incised on its ulnar border to facilitateligation of these dorsal branches, thereby freeing theentire muscle flap. More length is gained on the pedicle

by proximal dissection. The proximal perforatingbranches are ligated and the flap is elevated on its neu-rovascular bundle (Figs. 2, D, and 3). The flap maythen be extended superficially to provide soft tissuecoverage.

The initial dissection is performed under tourniquetcontrol, and after the pronator quadratus muscle flap iselevated and the appropriate associated surgical proce-dures are carried out, the tourniquet is deflated, the flapis then allowed to perfuse, and any hemostatis neces-sary is obtained (Fig. 3).

During closure, the dermis of the previously well-mobilized skin flap is tacked with 4/0 polyglactin(Vicryl) sutures to the superficial surface of the pro-nator quadratus muscle flap to maintain the flap’s posi-tion.

Results

The pronator quadratus muscle flap has been ele-vated surgically without technical complications in ninepatients (Table I). There has been one immediate post-operative complication, a hematoma, which drainedspontaneously. Flap viability has been assessed in-traoperatively by deflation of the pneumatic tourniquetand observation of bleeding from the muscle edges.Viability of the flap after operation has been suggestedby the Palpable bulge beneath the skin flap and occa-sionally a palpable contraction or wrinkling of the skinoverlying the muscle with the patient attempting re-sisted pronation. In three patients evaluated at 10, 13,and 14 months after operation, electromyography withthe needle inserted into the pronator quadratus muscleand recording proximal from the median nerve demon-,trated silence at rest and normal potential and recrnit-ment as the patient attempted pronation, thus demon-~trating a viable muscle.

Clinically six of the seven patients treated for painhave had either good or excellent results at a mean of22 months after operation: The seventh patient had hada wooden beam fall on the wrist 6 months after theoperation, causing the previously palpable muscle mass

A

Fig. 2. Technique of pronator quadratus muscle flap elevation(see text for description).

to flatten, and has had recurrent pain. This patient’searly good result is considered a poor long-term result.No patient’s condition was made worse. The remainingsix patients have returned to work or are able to carryout their household activities, although two of the sixare working at a reduced capacity. This includes allthree patients involved in the Workmen’s Compensa-tion cases.

The two patients in whom the pronator quadratusmuscle flap was used to provide a vascularized bed fora nerve graft are demonstrating excellent rates of re-covery of sensibility.

Discussion

The distal forearm is devoid of superficial muscles,and vital structures in this area are protected by onlyskin and subcutaneous tissue. This study demonstrates,by anatomic dissection, that the pronator quadratusmuscle can be elevated on a single, well-defined neu-rovascular pedicle and transposed within a wide arc toprovide a well-vascularized pad of muscle for a varietyof clinical needs in the distal forearm. While the pro-nator quadratus muscle supplies only a small area ofsoft tissue coverage, this is often all that is necessaryfor reconstructive purposes in this region. For example,recent reports have demonstrated the clinical usefulnessof small muscle flaps for skin and nerver and bone

426 Dellon and Mackinnon

The JournalHAND SURG

Fig. 3. Intraoperative views. A, Pronator quadratus muscle exposed. Note proximal neurovascularbundle (left). B, Pronator quadratus muscle elevated to show neurovascular bundle entering its deepside (vessel loop to the right). C, Pronator quadratus muscle elevated. Note neurolysed mediannerve and palmar cutaneous neuroma (overlying background). D, Tourniquet let down. Note bleed-ing from edges of flap. E, Muscle flap being ~nterposed between skin and neurolysed median nerve.F, Flap in place. Palmar cutaneous neuroma has been resected and nerve end implanted into themuscle.

°Vol. 9A, No. 3May 1984

Pronator quadratus muscle flap 427

problems9 in this area. The pronator quadratus muscleflap may thus serve as an alternative to larger distantand more extensive reconstructive flap procedures?, 10

The degree of technical difficulty in the use of this

flap suggests that its clinical use should be more as a

"’salvage" type procedure than as a primary procedure

and in conjunction with neuro- and tendolysis. It isemphasized further that the pronator quadratus muscle

flap can provide coverage no farther distally than theproximal wrist flexion crease, and skin must be mobi-lized to cover the muscle without tension. Muscle cov-erage more distal than this can be provided by the ab-ductor digiti minimi muscle flap.r

One more way to prove that this pronator muscle flapis viable would be to use it as a bed for a skin graft.A/though we have not yet had the clinical opportunity,

skin grafting this muscle is possible and should prove tobe as successful in the upper extremity as similar pro-cedures have proved to be in the lower extremity?

Loss of function of the pronator quadratus muscle

has not been a problem to any of the nine patients. Allcan still pronate with some resistance, even with theelbow flexed. This action may be provided by the deephead of the pronator teres. 11

REFERENCES

1. Ger R: The management of chronic ulcers of the foot bymuscle transposition and free skin grafting. Br J PlastSurg 29:199-201, 1976

2. Mathes S J, Nahai F: Clinical atlas of muscle and mus-

culocutaneous flaps. St. Louis, 1979, The C V MosbyCo

3. McGregor IA: Flap reconstruction in hand surgery: Theevolution of presently used methods. J HAnD SUR64:1-5, 1979

4. Wray CR, Wise DM, Young VI: The groin flap in severehand injuries. Ann Plast Surg 9:459-62, 1982

5. Dellon AL, Mackinnon SE, Pestronk A: Implantation ofsensory nerve into muscle: Preliminary clinical and ex-perimental observations on neuroma formation. AnnPlast Surg 12:30-40, 1984

6. Mackinnon SE, Dellon AL, Hunter D, Hudson O: Al-teration of neuroma formation produced by manipulationof neural environment in primates. Presented at theMeeting of the American Society of Plastic and Recon-structive Surgery, Dallas, Texas, 1983

7. Reisman N, Dellon AL: The abductor digiti minimimuscle flap: A salvage technique for palmar wrist pain.Plast Reconstr Surg 72:859-63, 1983

8. Dellon AL, Mackinnon SE." Terminal branch of anteriorinterosseous nerve as source of wrist pain. J HAND SURG

[Br] (submitted)9. Braun R: The pronator pedicle bone grafting in the

forearm and proximal carpal row. Presented at the Meet-ing of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand,Annaheim, Calif., 1983

10. Mackinnon SE, Weiland A J, Godina M: Immediateforearm reconstruction with a functional latissimus dorsiisland pedicle myocutaneous flap. Plast Reconstr Surg71:706-10, 1983

11. Lister GD: Personal communication, 1983