Stabilizing Morbidity and Predicting the Aesthetic Results of Radial Forearm Free Flap Donor Sites
Background The radial forearm flap is a versatile, widely used flap. However, the possibility of donor site complications has led to concern over its use. Some surgeons prefer using other flaps whose donor sites can be closed primarily with less morbidity, including avoiding unpleasant scarring. Ho...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
2015-11-01
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| Series: | Archives of Plastic Surgery |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.5999/aps.2015.42.6.769 |
| _version_ | 1811303525583421440 |
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| author | Tae Kyoung Yun Eul Sik Yoon Duck Sun Ahn Seung Ha Park Byung Il Lee Hyon Surk Kim Hi Jin You |
| author_facet | Tae Kyoung Yun Eul Sik Yoon Duck Sun Ahn Seung Ha Park Byung Il Lee Hyon Surk Kim Hi Jin You |
| author_sort | Tae Kyoung Yun |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background The radial forearm flap is a versatile, widely used flap. However, the possibility of donor site complications has led to concern over its use. Some surgeons prefer using other flaps whose donor sites can be closed primarily with less morbidity, including avoiding unpleasant scarring. However, in our experience, donor site stability of the radial forearm flap can be reliably achieved by using well-implemented specific procedures. Here, we present a collection of donor site cases of the radial forearm flap and investigate factors that affect the aesthetic results as the basis for a reference for selecting a radial forearm flap.
Methods In this retrospective study, we reviewed 171 cases in which a radial forearm flap was used for free tissue transfer after resecting head and neck cancer. We focused on donor site morbidity rates. Each operation involved a detailed procedure designed to minimize donor site morbidity. Moreover, statistical investigations were conducted for 22 cases to determine factors affecting the scar appearance.
Results Only one case developed total skin graft necrosis as a major complication. Scar-related aesthetic results were acceptable, and the body-mass index, body weight, diabetes, and cardiac problems were significant factors related to the appearance of scars.
Conclusions Performing the radial forearm flap using a well-implemented detailed technique helps achieve acceptable donor site morbidity results. The aesthetic results were more promising for patients without excess body weight, diabetes, or cardiac problems. Therefore, anxiety about donor site morbidity should not be a reason to avoid selecting the radial forearm flap in suitable patients. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T07:49:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d0e764eb8414423abe58656e4052cc59 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2234-6163 2234-6171 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T07:49:31Z |
| publishDate | 2015-11-01 |
| publisher | Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Archives of Plastic Surgery |
| spelling | doaj.art-d0e764eb8414423abe58656e4052cc592022-12-22T02:55:35ZengThieme Medical Publishers, Inc.Archives of Plastic Surgery2234-61632234-61712015-11-01420676977510.5999/aps.2015.42.6.769606Stabilizing Morbidity and Predicting the Aesthetic Results of Radial Forearm Free Flap Donor SitesTae Kyoung Yun0Eul Sik Yoon1Duck Sun Ahn2Seung Ha Park3Byung Il Lee4Hyon Surk Kim5Hi Jin You6Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, KoreaDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, KoreaDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, KoreaDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, KoreaDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, KoreaDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, KoreaDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, KoreaBackground The radial forearm flap is a versatile, widely used flap. However, the possibility of donor site complications has led to concern over its use. Some surgeons prefer using other flaps whose donor sites can be closed primarily with less morbidity, including avoiding unpleasant scarring. However, in our experience, donor site stability of the radial forearm flap can be reliably achieved by using well-implemented specific procedures. Here, we present a collection of donor site cases of the radial forearm flap and investigate factors that affect the aesthetic results as the basis for a reference for selecting a radial forearm flap. Methods In this retrospective study, we reviewed 171 cases in which a radial forearm flap was used for free tissue transfer after resecting head and neck cancer. We focused on donor site morbidity rates. Each operation involved a detailed procedure designed to minimize donor site morbidity. Moreover, statistical investigations were conducted for 22 cases to determine factors affecting the scar appearance. Results Only one case developed total skin graft necrosis as a major complication. Scar-related aesthetic results were acceptable, and the body-mass index, body weight, diabetes, and cardiac problems were significant factors related to the appearance of scars. Conclusions Performing the radial forearm flap using a well-implemented detailed technique helps achieve acceptable donor site morbidity results. The aesthetic results were more promising for patients without excess body weight, diabetes, or cardiac problems. Therefore, anxiety about donor site morbidity should not be a reason to avoid selecting the radial forearm flap in suitable patients.http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.5999/aps.2015.42.6.769free tissue flapsskin transplantationmorbiditycicatrixaesthetics |
| spellingShingle | Tae Kyoung Yun Eul Sik Yoon Duck Sun Ahn Seung Ha Park Byung Il Lee Hyon Surk Kim Hi Jin You Stabilizing Morbidity and Predicting the Aesthetic Results of Radial Forearm Free Flap Donor Sites Archives of Plastic Surgery free tissue flaps skin transplantation morbidity cicatrix aesthetics |
| title | Stabilizing Morbidity and Predicting the Aesthetic Results of Radial Forearm Free Flap Donor Sites |
| title_full | Stabilizing Morbidity and Predicting the Aesthetic Results of Radial Forearm Free Flap Donor Sites |
| title_fullStr | Stabilizing Morbidity and Predicting the Aesthetic Results of Radial Forearm Free Flap Donor Sites |
| title_full_unstemmed | Stabilizing Morbidity and Predicting the Aesthetic Results of Radial Forearm Free Flap Donor Sites |
| title_short | Stabilizing Morbidity and Predicting the Aesthetic Results of Radial Forearm Free Flap Donor Sites |
| title_sort | stabilizing morbidity and predicting the aesthetic results of radial forearm free flap donor sites |
| topic | free tissue flaps skin transplantation morbidity cicatrix aesthetics |
| url | http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.5999/aps.2015.42.6.769 |
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