title: Closure of the radial forearm donor site using a local hatchet flap: analysis of 45 consecutive cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) is widely used in reconstructive surgery. Traditional donor-site closure by grafting may be associated with significant aesthetic and functional morbidity. We report our experience with primary closure using a local hatchet flap.
  
  
  METHODS
  In all, 45 consecutive patients who underwent RFFF reconstruction in the head and neck during an 8-year period were retrospectively assessed with regards to their donor-site morbidity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the patients was 54, with 23 being female. The mean RFFF area harvested was 37.7 cm; mean width, 7.6 cm (5.5-11 cm); and mean length, 4.7 cm (3.5-6.5 cm). All patients had their donor site closed primarily utilizing a local hatchet flap. At the time of follow-up, there were 33 surviving patients, of which 31 patients were available for assessment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recommend this technique of primary closure of the RFFF donor site: it is well tolerated by the patient, with good cosmesis and is associated with no discernable functional morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jennifer C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: Marc C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Swan
authors.forename: Oliver C S
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Cassell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery*; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006085:Graft Survival; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D014019:Tissue Donors; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome