title: Clinical reliability of radial forearm free-flap procedure in reconstructive head and neck surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to evaluate the indications, reliability, and complications of the radial forearm fasciocutaneous flap (RFFF) procedure in reconstructive head and neck surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of 81 patients who were treated with an RFFF between 1998 and 2009 were systematically reviewed. Data of recipient localization, previous T status, and postoperative complications were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From the 50 male and 31 female patients, 4 patients (3 men and 1 woman) experienced flap failure during the first 36 hours: in 1 patient because of arterial and in 3 patients because of venous complications. None of the 4 patients had preoperative radiotherapy. A dehiscence was observed in 2 patients without a need for further surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With a success rate of more than 95%, the RFFF is a reliable flap and a workhorse, particularly in defects where thinness is needed to substitute for the oral mucosa, such as on the floor of the mouth or the tongue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Craniomaxillofacial and Oral Surgery, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. astridkruse@gmx.ch
authors.forename: Astrid L D
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Kruse
authors.forename: Marius G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Bredell
authors.forename: Heinz T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Lübbers
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jacobsen
authors.forename: Klaus W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Grätz
authors.forename: Joachim A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Obwegeser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply*; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome