An Ideal Choice for Closure of Large Free Radial Forearm Flap Donor Site Using a Local Full-Thickness Skin Graft

Abstract: The local full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) method based on the V–Y closure is reported to be the most convenient and reliable technique for free radial forearm flap (FRFF) donor site closure. The spindle-shaped FTSG was the most common local closure method in free osteofasciocutaneous fibula flaps but not FRFF reconstructions, despite being conveniently applicable to FRFF donor sites. The authors devised a spindle-shaped FTSG harvested from the ipsilateral radial forearm as a new concept in repairing the FRFF donor site. This procedure was performed on 4 patients and the average flap defect size was 5.0 × 8.3 cm (41.3 cm2). The spindle-shaped FTSG is more likely to adapt to longer FRFFs, while a V–Y closure is more likely to adapt to wider ones. It is desirable to use both FTSGs properly depending on the large FRFF shape.
Source: Journal of Craniofacial Surgery - Category: Surgery Tags: Technical Strategies Source Type: research