Using free radial forearm flap in the repair of different soft tissue defects in the head and neck region

Abstract

Aim: Radial forearm flap (RFF) is a reliable flap that can be easily used to repair tissue defects in all parts of the body, especially inthe areas such as the oral cavity, cheek mucosa and the tongue. It is used for the repair of soft tissue defects as a fasciocutaneousflap, and it is also used as osteo- fasciocutaneous flap, with the radius bone being split into the flap. In this study, we retrospectivelyexamined the cases in which tissue defect repair was performed with free radial forearm flaps in our clinic between the years of2008and 2018. The purpose of this study; is the determination of the results of the use of the radial forearm flap in the reconstructionof different soft tissue defects belonging to the head and neck region.Material and Methods: RFF repair was conducted in 24 patients who were included in our study. 15 of the patients were male and 9were female. The mean age of the patients was 49. The cause of tissue defect was tumoral invasion in 17 patients, trauma (trafficaccident, fall) in 6 patients and gunshot wound in 1 patient.Results: Total flap loss was observed in 1 patient and partial flap loss was seen in 1 patient. No post-operative infection, bleeding orsimilar complications were observed. Donor site problems were observed in 4 patients, while the donor area of 2 patients recoveredafter secondary treatment, while the donor area of the other 2 patients was repaired with additional partial thickness skin grafts.Conclusion: Radial forearm flap with free transfer is an option that has been used safely for many years in many regions, especiallyin intraoral soft tissue defects such as tongue, inner cheek, and the floor of the mouth. Although harvesting of this flap is slightlyeasier than other flaps, it is a procedure that requires meticulousness and patience similar to every area where microsurgery exists.Although sacrificing one of the main vessels of the upper limb with this flap is a serious disadvantage, the advantages it offers,especially in the intraoral defects, still keeps the radial forearm flap popular over the years.