J Korean Assoc Maxillofac Plast Reconstr Surg.  2008 Jul;30(4):353-358.

Availability of radial forearm free flap in reconstruction of intraoral soft tissue defects: review of 50 cases

• Kim NK
• Seo DJ
• Park SH
• Kim HJ
• Cha IH
• Nam W

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this clinical retrospective study was to evaluate our experience of radial forearm free flap for reconstruction of the oral cavity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1997 to 2006, 50 radial forearm free flaps were employed for head and neck reconstruction in 50 patients at department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, Yonsei University, Korea. Data were obtained from chart review, and clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Patients'age ranged from 26 to 82 years (mean 53.2). There were 39 men and 11 women. 43 of the 50(86%) patients had squamous cell carcinoma. The total flap survival were 47(94%), complication rate were revealed for 15(30%). CONCLUSION: In the reconstruction of soft tissue within the oral cavity, several free flaps have been used. Because of its constant anatomy, long pedicle allows a hypothetic vascular anastomosis in the contralateral neck, contourability for various type of oral defects, pliability and can be used simultaneous reconstruction in intraoral and extra oral defects, the radial forearm free flap constitutes one of the best choice of intraoral soft tissue reconstruction.

Keyword

Radial forearm free flap; Intraoral defect; Oral cavity reconstruction

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Forearm
Free Tissue Flaps
Head
Humans
Korea
Male
Mouth
Neck
Pliability
Retrospective Studies
Surgery, Oral