Abstract: Objective　To explore the limb salvage effect of Flow-through flap of descending branch of lateral femoral circumflex artery in the treatment of high-voltage electrical injury of the upper extremity. Methods　From July 2017 to February 2019, five patients with high-voltage electrical injury of upper extremity were analyzed retrospectively. Extensive soft tissue necrosis and blood circulation disorder were found in all of the affected limbs. Emergency treatment including incision and decompression of the affected limb, removal of necrotic tissue, vascular exploration, transplantation of Flow-through flap of descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery were implemented to repair the wound and reconstruct the distal blood circulation of the limb. The wound area after thorough debridement ranged from 6.0 cm×4.0 cm to 17.1 cm×10.3 cm, and the flap area ranged from 7.2 cm×5.0 cm to 18.3 cm×11.5 cm. The donor area was closed directly in one stage.　Results　One patient developed subflap infection 7 days after operation and healed successfully after debridement and suturing. The other flaps survived well and healed in stage I. All patients were followed up for 6 to 18 months, with an average of 12 months. All the patients were successful in limb preservation, the skin flap was soft and satisfactory in shape, the ulnar and radial arteries of the affected limb were unobstructed, the blood supply of the hand and wrist was good, and the function was restored to a certain extent. There were lamellar scars in the donor region with only a small area of numbness.　Conclusions　The Flow-through flap of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery can effectively reconstruct the blood supply of the limbs and repair the wounds at the same time, which is one of the ideal methods for limb salvage treatment in the high-voltage electrical injury of upper extremity.

Key words: Electric injury;　Flow-through flap;　Emergency operation;　Limb salvage; , Microsurgery technology