title: Donor site morbidity of free ulnar forearm flap.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the donor site morbidity of the free ulnar forearm flap (UFF).
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients undergoing free UFF between 1982 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. In addition, detailed assessment of hand function and donor site cosmesis was performed in the most recent 50 patients followed up for at least 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 62 of the 242 free UFF donor sites (26%) were closed directly and the remainder required split thickness skin grafting. Donor site complications included total (n = 1) and partial (n = 17) skin graft loss and persistent hypertrophic scarring (n = 4). There was minimal incidence of cold intolerance, parasthesia, and pain; no reduction in joint mobility, grip and pinch strength, and sensory dysfunction, with excellent donor site cosmesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  UFF has several advantages, including the possibility of direct closure of the donor defect, and reduced morbidity and excellent donor site cosmesis.
authors: Wellington Regional Plastic, Maxillofacial and Burns Unit, Hutt Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand. swee.tan@huttvalleydhb.org.nz
authors: Swee T
authors: ST
authors: Tan
authors: Dylan W
authors: DW
authors: James
authors: Zachary
authors: Z
authors: Moaveni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting; D060053:Transplant Donor Site / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014457:Ulna; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology