Clinical reliability of radial forearm free flap in repair of buccal defects.
BACKGROUND
The ideal method for buccal defects should provide good outcome of both function and appearance; our goal is to highlight the reliability of radial forearm flap in buccal reconstruction.


METHODS
A retrospective study was conducted. From 2005 to 2012, 20 radial forearm flaps were used to repair the defects. We analyzed the superiority and reliability of the flap; in addition, we reviewed some related literature and made a comparison between radial forearm flap and platysma flap.


RESULTS
All radial forearm flaps totally survived, but two flaps suffered venous obstruction, hematoma, respectively. Radial forearm flap preserved the original interincisal distance well. In our follow-up, all patients had sufficient mouth-opening width (mean: 4.3 cm).


CONCLUSIONS
Radial forearm flap is a reliable method for buccal defect reconstruction.
Department of Oromaxillofacial-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Stomatology, China Medical University, No, 117, Nanjing North Street, Heping District, 110002, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Qi-Gen
QG
Fang
Zhen-Ning
ZN
Li
Xu
X
Zhang
Fa-Yu
FY
Liu
Zhong-Fei
ZF
Xu
Chang-Fu
CF
Sun
D018262:Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002610:Cheek / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery*; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps