The use of integra artificial dermis to minimize donor-site morbidity after suprafascial dissection of the radial forearm flap.
In an effort to minimize the radial forearm flap donor-site morbidity, the flap was elevated using the suprafascial dissection technique, in six patients with various facial defects. The donor site was covered primarily with Integra artificial skin and secondarily with an ultrathin split-thickness skin graft. The mean time to wound healing of the forearm donor site was 24 days. There were no flap failures, and all flaps healed uneventfully. At the end of the follow-up, all patients showed normal range of motion of the wrist and the fingers, normal power grip, and power pinch. All patients evaluated the esthetic appearance of the forearm donor site as very good. In conclusion, suprafascial dissection of the forearm flap creates a superior graft recipient site, and the use of Integra artificial dermis is a valuable advancement to further minimize the donor-site morbidity, resulting in excellent functional and aesthetic outcomes.
Gravvanis
Andreas I
AI
General State Hospital of Athens G Gennimatas, Department of Plastic Surgery-Microsurgery and Burn Center J Ioannovich, Athens, Greece. gravvani@yahoo.com
Tsoutsos
Dimosthenis A
DA
Iconomou
Thomais
T
Gremoutis
George
G
D000368:Aged; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003094:Collagen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005542:Forearm; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D017768:Skin, Artificial; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
C114835:integra artificial skin; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D003094:Collagen