Closure of radial forearm free flap donor site with local full-thickness skin graft.
A triangular shaped full-thickness skin graft harvested adjacent to the donor site of the radial forearm flap, as originally described by Liang et al, has successfully been used in seven consecutive patients for coverage of the donor site of the radial forearm free flap. In all patients this resulted in a robust coverage with no late wound breakdown and an aesthetic appearance far superior to split-thickness skin-graft coverage. We recommend this technique which is feasible in the majority of cases and reduces both donor site and graft site morbidity of the radial forearm flap.
van der Lei
B
B
Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Medical Center Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.
Spronk
C A
CA
de Visscher
J G
JG
D001458:Bandages; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques