title: Versatility of Radial Forearm Free Flap for Intraoral Reconstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The radial forearm free flap has an important role in reconstruction of the oncologic defects in the region of head and neck.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to present and evaluate clinical experience and results in the radial forearm free transfer for intraoral reconstructions after resections due to malignancies.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article illustrates the versatility and reliability of forearm single donor site in 21 patients with a variety of intraoral oncologic defects who underwent immediate (19 patients, 90.5%) or delayed (2 patients, 9.5%) reconstruction using free flaps from the radial forearm. Fascio-cutaneous flaps were used in patients with floor of the mouth (6 cases), buccal mucosa (5 cases), lip (1 case) and a retromolar triangle (2 cases) defects, or after hemiglossectomy (7 cases). In addition, the palmaris longus tendon was included with the flap in 2 patients that required oral sphincter reconstruction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An overall success rate was 90.5%. Flap failures were detected in two (9.5%) patients, in one patient due to late ischemic necrosis, which appeared one week after the surgery, and in another patient due to venous congestion, which could not be salvaged after immediate re-exploration. Two patients required re-exploration due to vein thrombosis.The donor site healed uneventfully in all patients, except one, who had partial loss of skin graft.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The radial forearm free flap is, due to multiple advantages, an acceptable method for reconstructions after resection of intraoral malignancies.
authors.forename: Jelena V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Jeremić
authors.forename: Živorad S
authors.initials: ŽS
authors.lastname: Nikolić
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery*; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000601:surgery; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery