Closure of the radial forearm donor site using a local hatchet flap: analysis of 45 consecutive cases

• Published in: Annals of plastic surgery Vol. 70; no. 3; p. 308
• Main Authors: Lane, Jennifer C, Swan, Marc C, Cassell, Oliver C S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.2013
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Esthetics; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Forearm - surgery; Free Tissue Flaps; Graft Survival; Head and Neck Neoplasms - surgery; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Patient-Centered Care - methods; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - methods; Retrospective Studies; Skin Transplantation - methods; Tissue and Organ Harvesting - methods; Tissue Donors; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1536-3708
• DOI: 10.1097/SAP.0b013e3182321ba0

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. 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. 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. 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.