RESUMO
The authors study the consequences of amputation of the radial artery in order to create a Chinese forearm graft on the blood supply and innervation of the upper limb. After a brief review of the anatomy, the haemodynamics of the upper limb are studied in detail. Preoperative assessment by Hallen's test is generally sufficient. Postoperatively, pulsed Doppler studies provide the most useful information. Compensatory development of the interosseous artery is always observed and, in seven out of nine cases, this is associated with a marked increase in the blood flow in all of the arteries of the upper limb, especially in the hand. Of all of the methods of investigation available, this examination is able to demonstrate the safety of forearm grafts in the very great majority of cases.
