Dimensional guide to harvesting the radius for orofacial reconstruction.
OBJECTIVE
To provide an accurate harvesting guide to maintain the maximum possible safe dimensions of the radius for orofacial reconstruction using the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap.


METHODS
Two hundred radii of 100 adult formalin-embalmed cadavers (52 males, 48 females) were measured.


RESULTS
The mean minimum circumference of the radius measured between the pronator teres and brachioradialis insertions was 41.0 +/- 4.3 mm. At this point, the mean medio-lateral diameter was 13.4 +/- 1.6 mm. The mean of the maximum harvested length of the radius between the pronator teres and brachioradialis insertions was 81.3 +/- 10.4 mm. On the average, the maximum harvested length of the radius was 34.9% of its total length. The minimum medio-lateral diameter of the radius was consistently 1-5 mm less than 40% of its minimum circumference. There was no significant dimensional difference between sides but gender difference existed in all measurements (p < 0.001), except the maximum harvested length of the radius.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study may be helpful to guide reconstructive surgeons for safer harvesting of the radius using the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap to repair orofacial defects.
Apinhasmit
Wandee
W
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. Wandee.A@chula.ac.th
Chompoopong
Supin
S
Methathrathip
Dolly
D
Amornmettajit
Nutchaya
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000886:Anthropometry; D002102:Cadaver; D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011884:Radius / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000637:transplantation; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012016:Reference Values; D013515:Surgery, Oral; D013524:Surgical Flaps