The radial forearm free flap head and neck reconstruction.

Nam, Dong Woo; Chung, Chul Hoon; Lee, Jong Wook; Burm, Jin Sik; Oh, Suk Joon; Rho, Young Soo

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons 1998;25(5):874-883.
Published online July 1, 1998.

The radial forearm free flap head and neck reconstruction.

Dong Woo Nam, Chul Hoon Chung, Jong Wook Lee, Jin Sik Burm, Suk Joon Oh, Young Soo Rho

Abstract

The free flaps have been used for reconstruction of the head and neck because of their superior results comparing with other types of flaps. Among them, radial forearm free flap has many advantages, its thinness, pliablilty, long vascular pedicle, large sensory flap, and compound flap including tendons and bone. We report 28 cases of head and neck reconstruction with radial forearm free flap between March 1991 and March 1997. Patient's age ranged from 21 to 76 years(mean 50.5 years). There were 23 men and 5 women. Mean follow-up period was 14 months. The most common cause was malignant tumor of the head and neck, especially squamous cell carcinomas(18 cases). We used this flap to reconstruct the oral cavity in 13 cases, the hypopharyngoesophagus in 6 cases, external surface of the head and neck in 7 cases, and the orbit in 2 cases. All of these flaps survived without complication. Two cases of fistula developed, in which forearm flaps were used for tongue and hypopharyngoesophageal reconstruction, and they were treated with conservative manners. Partial losses of skin graft at donor site of the forearm developed in 3 cases. They healed with split-thickness skin graft or local flap. The function of reconstructed upper aerodigestive tract and eye socket was good. The cosmetic result was not good in cases of reconstruction for external surface of the face with this flap, but it was better than other free flaps. So, we concluded the radial forearm free flap is available for reconstruction of the head and neck.