Improvement of the radial forearm donor site by compression with hydrocolloid dressing and adhesive sponge.
CONCLUSIONS
With our method, general improvement is obtained as compared with traditional split-thickness skin grafting of the radial forearm flap donor site. As our method is simple and easy, the same results can be obtained wherever and by whomever it is performed.


OBJECTIVE
The radial forearm flap is associated with complications of graft take and a poor aesthetic appearance despite its usefulness in reconstructing the oral cavity and oropharynx. We describe a simple technique for improvement of the radial forearm donor site.


METHODS
We studied 12 patients who underwent reconstruction with radial forearm free flaps following resection of oral or oropharyngeal tumors. We covered the donor site defect using traditional split-thickness skin grafts and performed aftercare with a hydrocolloid dressing and an adhesive sponge to retain moisture and apply compression. After the treatment series, color matching, texture matching, depressive deformity, and hypertrophic scar were evaluated.


RESULTS
The results of comprehensive evaluation of the two patients with premature discontinuation of compression were good. One patient was assigned only 1 point for hypertrophic scar, and another only 1 point for color match. The evaluation of the other 10 patients was excellent.
Motomura
Hisashi
H
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Osaka City University, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan. motomura@med.osaka-cu.ac.jp
Ohba
Norihiro
N
Ohashi
Natsuko
N
Harada
Teruichi
T
Muraoka
Michinari
M
Iguchi
Hiroyoshi
H
Kusuki
Makoto
M
Yamane
Hideo
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D047070:Bandages, Hydrocolloid; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome