title: Complications of free radial forearm flap transfers for head and neck reconstruction.
abstract: Free tissue transfer using microvascular anastomosis has been established as an accepted maxillofacial reconstructive procedure. The free radial forearm flap (FRFF) has become a workhorse flap as a means of reconstructing surgical defects in the head and neck region. Since 1992, we have carried out 38 FRFF transfers in 37 patients for reconstruction after head and neck cancer ablative surgery. We present our clinical experience with head and neck reconstruction using the FRFF and the morbidity of the donor sites. Of the 38 FRFFs, 35 FRFFs were performed successfully. The survival rate of FRFF was 92%. Donor site complications included partial loss of skin graft in 4 donor sites (11%), abnormal sensations in 10 (26%), poor appearance in 3 (8%), and reduced grip strength in 4 (11%). Therefore, we believe that, because of the reliability, functional characteristics, and low donor site morbidity, the FRFF is a useful and versatile flap for reconstruction of head and neck defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan. koms.chen@msa.hinet.net <koms.chen@msa.hinet.net>
authors.forename: Chun-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Gau-Tyan
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yin-Chih
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Tien-Yu
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Shieh
authors.forename: I-Yueh
authors.initials: IY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yee-Shyong
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Chung-Ho
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000209:etiology; D006225:Hand / Q000098:blood supply; D018737:Hand Strength; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017534:Radial Artery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000009:adverse effects*