title: Comparison of anterolateral thigh and radial forearm free flap donor site morbidity.
abstract: This study evaluated patient-reported outcome of the donor site in patients following head and neck cancer reconstruction. Patients who had undergone cancer reconstruction using either an anterolateral thigh or a radial forearm free flap and who were at least 6 months postsurgery were included and contacted by telephone. There were 37 patients (mean age 61 years, standard deviation 16 years) with 18 anterolateral thigh flaps and 19 radial forearm flaps. The majority of patients were not bothered by scar appearance, light touch, numbness or pain. Significantly more females (P = 0.038) and more patients with radial forearm flaps (P = 0.045) were bothered by the cold at the donor site and more females reported that the shape of the operated extremity was different (P = 0.009). Donor site morbidity is not significant following a radial forearm or anterolateral thigh free flap and the reconstruction should be based upon individual patient factors and surgeon expertise.
authors.affiliation: Wharton Head and Neck Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Christine B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Novak
authors.forename: Joan E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lipa
authors.forename: Sabrena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Noria
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Allison
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Neligan
authors.forename: Ralph W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Gilbert
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013848:Thigh