title: Repair of radial free flap donor site by full-thickness skin graft from inner arm.
abstract: Sixty-two consecutive patients had 63 radial free flaps taken and the donor site repaired with either a full-thickness or split-skin graft. A full-thickness graft was harvested from the inner upper arm in 53 patients (85%). The donor site was assessed using a visual analogue scale, tactile sensitivity, and the Vancouver scar assessment score. All donor sites healed without complications except for two minor wound dehiscences. Both patients and surgeons rated the aesthetic outcome as good. The advantages included; single operation site; simple execution; thin hairless graft, good colour match and an inconspicuous scar causing minimal morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK. chrisavery@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: C M E
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Avery
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Orr
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hayter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001132:Arm / Q000601:surgery*; D002921:Cicatrix; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods*