Anatomically aberrant forearm arteries: an absent radial artery with co-dominant median and ulnar arteries

A radial-artery free flap was dissected from a traumatically amputated forearm. During dissection the arterial tree was found to be abnormal, with no radial artery. The arterial supply was based on co-dominant median and ulnar arteries. This description raises issues regarding anatomical vascular aberrations when planning forearm flaps.