Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2019 Sep;62(9):515-519. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2019.00129.

Comparison of Skin Graft for the Defect of the Radial Forearm Free Flap

• Lee JK
• Yoon SH
• Kang TG
• Kim JG
• Kim HY
• Lim HR
• Jeong SH
• Park KS

• KMID: 2461003
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2019.00129

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
This study compared two types of skin graft reconstruction for the defect of the radial forearm free flap.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
Ten cases of split-thickness skin graft (STSG) harvested from the thigh were analyzed. Also, ten cases of full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) harvest from the inguinal area applied with vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system were analyzed.
RESULTS
The defect size of the radial forearm was increased more in the STSG group than in the FTSG group (p<0.05). Skin grafts were recovered completely sooner in the FTSG group than in the STSG group although it was not statistically significant (p=0.082). Five complications (pruritus, hypertrophic scar) were found in the donor site in the STSG group (p<0.05). FTSG gave better scores according to the Vancouver Scar Scale in terms of pigmentation, pliability, and height (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
FTSG harvested from the inguinal area with the application of VAC system has many advantages for the defect of the radial forearm free flap although it is usually used for smaller size defects than for STSGs.

Keyword

Forearm; Free tissue flaps; Reconstructive surgical procedures; Skin transplantation

MeSH Terms

Cicatrix
Forearm*
Free Tissue Flaps*
Humans
Methods
Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy
Pigmentation
Pliability
Reconstructive Surgical Procedures
Skin Transplantation
Skin*
Thigh
Tissue Donors
Transplants*