title: Healing time of radial forearm free flap donor sites after preoperative tissue expansion: randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that using a simple and inexpensive preoperative tissue expansion device for radial forearm free flap donor sites will result in a significant reduction in healing time and reduced postoperative pain compared to unexpanded radial forearm free flap donor site skin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine patients were enrolled and randomized to either the treatment (tissue pre-expansion) or the control group. An intention-to-treat analysis was used. Healing time was recorded for all patients. The Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire was used to record arm pain and overall surgical pain 1 week postsurgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean (95% CI) healing time was 5.7 (3.9-7.6) days for the treatment group and 32.5 (12.2-53.0) days for the control group (p < .001). Overall surgical pain (p < .001) was significantly lower in the treatment group. There was no significant difference in donor site arm pain (p < .2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using a simple, noninvasive method of preoperative tissue expansion results in both clinically and statistically significant reductions in healing time and postoperative pain.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON.
authors: James P
authors: JP
authors: Bonaparte
authors: Martin J
authors: MJ
authors: Corsten
authors: Murray
authors: M
authors: Allen
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery*; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D015626:Tissue Expansion / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing