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Journals / The Turkish Journal of Ear Nose and Throat / 2026 / Volume: 36 Issue: 1

Isokinetic assessment of long-term functional donor site morbidity after radial forearm free flap harvest

Cömert Şen(ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY, İSTANBUL FACULTY OF MEDICINE, İSTANBUL MEDICINE PR.)0000-0002-5101-8599
Mehmet Ersin(SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, İSTANBUL HASEKİ SAĞLIK UYGULAMA VE ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ, CERRAHİ TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ, ORTOPEDİ VE TRAVMATOLOJİ ANABİLİM DALI)0000-0002-3026-7860
Sertaç Yakal(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ, İSTANBUL TIP FAKÜLTESİ, DAHİLİ TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ, SPOR HEKİMLİĞİ ANABİLİM DALI)0000-0003-4056-5439
Bora Başaran(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ, İSTANBUL TIP FAKÜLTESİ, CERRAHİ TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ, KULAK, BURUN, BOĞAZ ANABİLİM DALI)0000-0003-0546-2848
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-03-31
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

While conventional static testing revealed significant decreases in tip-to-tip and palmar pinch strengths (p<0.05), isokinetic evaluation demonstrated that overall dynamic muscle strength was fundamentally preserved.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Objective: The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) is widely used in head and neck reconstruction, but potential long-term donor site functional morbidity remains debated.
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Key Findings & Data:Results: No statistically significant long-term decreases were observed in grip strength or wrist ROM on the operated side.
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Conclusion & Impact:While conventional static testing revealed significant decreases in tip-to-tip and palmar pinch strengths (p<0.05), isokinetic evaluation demonstrated that overall dynamic muscle strength was fundamentally preserved.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:free tissue flaps · donor site morbidity · muscle strength dynamometer

Abstract

Objective: The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) is widely used in head and neck reconstruction, but potential long-term donor site functional morbidity remains debated. This study aimed to evaluate long-term forearm, hand, and wrist function utilising a novel dynamic biomechanical approach (isokinetic muscle strength measurement) alongside conventional static tests and assess their impact on quality of life (QoL) and activities of daily living (ADL). Materials and Methods: Twenty-one patients with a minimum six-months follow-up after RFFF harvest were evaluated. Biomechanical measurements were performed to evaluate forearm, wrist, and hand functions. Quality of life (QoL) and activities of daily living (ADL) were assessed using validated tools. Association between biomechanical parameters and QoL and ADL scores were investigated. Results: No statistically significant long-term decreases were observed in grip strength or wrist ROM on the operated side. While conventional static testing revealed significant decreases in tip-to-tip and palmar pinch strengths (p<0.05), isokinetic evaluation demonstrated that overall dynamic muscle strength was fundamentally preserved. Importantly, the objectively measured decreases in pinch strength and isolated extensor peak torque showed no statistically significant correlation with the QoL and ADL outcomes. Conclusion: Long-term QoL and the ability to perform daily activities do not deteriorate following the RFFF harvest. Although static biomechanical testing may identify minor, subclinical decreases in specific pinch strengths, the novel application of isokinetic testing confirms that the overall dynamic muscle strength and function of the forearm and wrist are preserved.

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Cite This Article

Şen, C., Ersin, M., Yakal, S., Başaran, B. (2026). Isokinetic assessment of long-term functional donor site morbidity after radial forearm free flap harvest. The Turkish Journal of Ear Nose and Throat, Volume: 36 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.26650/Tr-ENT.2026.1901600

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