[Contribution of the semi-free radial forearm flap for head and neck reconstruction].
Flap failure is mostly caused by venous thrombosis of the anastomosis. The failure rate is higher in post-irradiated neck. To reduce the risk of venous thrombosis, the authors propose to harvest the radial forearm flap using the cephalic vein as the drainage vein and as a pedicle. Only a single arterial anastomosis is carried out. This technique has been described already in patients who underwent head and neck ablative surgery with radical neck dissection. The authors report 2 cases in patients with post-irradiated neck. The flap transfers were successful in the 2 cases. The operative time of harvesting this hybrid version is the same with the conventional free flap technique. This version of the radial forearm flap can be a method of choice for some complex microvascular reconstruction in the head and neck region.
Bénateau
H
H
Service de Stomatologie et Chirurgie Maxillo-Faciale, CHU Côte de Nacre, 14033 Caen Cedex.
Crasson
F
F
Bencheman
Y
Y
Labbé
D
D
Compère
J F
JF
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D001367:Axillary Vein / Q000637:transplantation; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply; D005927:Glossectomy; D006085:Graft Survival; D006257:Head / Q000601:surgery*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009060:Mouth Floor / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control