Radial forearm free tissue transfer for head and neck reconstruction: versatility and reliability of a single donor site.

Since its description as a free flap, the radial forearm flap has undergone numerous modifications for reconstruction of various defects in the head and neck region. Fasciocutaneous, adipofascial, osteocutaneous, tendinofasciocutaneous, or osteotendinofasciocutaneous flaps may be designed and transferred from the radial forearm. This article illustrates the versatility and reliability of this donor site in 15 patients with a variety of head and neck oncologic defects who underwent immediate (12 patients) and delayed (3 patients) reconstruction using different free flaps from the radial forearm. Skin flaps were used in 11 patients (73.3%) with floor of mouth (4 cases), hemiglossectomy (2 cases) and partial maxillectomy (2 cases) defects, and for scalp (1 case), lower lip (1 case) and a central face (anterior maxilla/upper lip/nasal) (1 case) defect. Osteocutaneous flaps were used in four patients (26.6%) for reconstruction of bilateral subtotal maxillectomy defects (2 cases), a complex forehead and nasal defect (1 case), and for mandible reconstruction (1 case). In addition, the palmaris longus tendon was included with the flap in the two patients that required oral sphincter reconstruction. One patient required reexploration due to vein thrombosis, and no flap failures were detected in this series. The donor site healed uneventfully in all patients, except one, who had partial skin graft failure. Because of their multiple advantages, free flaps from the radial forearm have a definite role for reconstruction of head and neck defects. New applications of composite flaps from this donor site may continue to emerge, as illustrated in some of our patients. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.