Pursestring closure of radial forearm fasciocutaneous donor sites.
BACKGROUND
The radial forearm fasciocutaneous free flap has become one of the most common methods of reconstructing defects after head and neck ablative surgery. The fasciocutaneous flap is an excellent replacement for the tissue that has been removed. Unfortunately, donor site morbidity remains a problem. Donor site morbidity is primarily related to poor skin graft take, cosmesis, and neural dysfunction. Decreasing the size of the donor site defect may allow for improved cosmesis with decreased morbidity.


METHODS
Prospective evaluation of a pursestring closure of radial forearm fasciocutaneous donor sites over a 16-month period.


RESULTS
Seventy-one radial forearm free flaps were used. Sixty-seven had a pursestring closure of the donor site. After flap elevation the mean size of the defect was 61 cm2 (range, 28-140 cm2). Pursestring closure decreased the mean of the defect to 34 cm2 (range, 10-104 cm2) (P <.0001). Defect size was decreased by a mean of 44.5% (range, 24.5%-66.7%) (P <.0001).


RESULTS
The rate of skin graft loss (>25%) (9% of patients) was less than that reported in the literature. No patient required a second surgical procedure. Neural morbidity was equal in both groups. Cosmesis was much improved.


CONCLUSIONS
Pursestring closure allowed for a significantly decreased donor defect, associated with better cosmesis and less skin graft loss.
Winslow
C P
CP
Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201, USA.
Hansen
J
J
Mackenzie
D
D
Cohen
J I
JI
Wax
M K
MK
D005542:Forearm; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014945:Wound Healing