Soft-tissue reconstruction of the face using the folded/multiple skin island radial forearm free flap Journal Article


Authors: Disa, J. J.; Liew, S.; Cordeiro, P. G.
Article Title: Soft-tissue reconstruction of the face using the folded/multiple skin island radial forearm free flap
Abstract: Resection of malignant soft-tissue tumors of the face often results in defects of skin, lining, and contour. When local tissues are unavailable, the folded/multiple skin island forearm free flap has been used to correct complex lining, skin, and contour defects concomitantly. This study is a retrospective review of all patients reconstructed with folded/multiple skin island forearm flaps from 1992 to 2000. Facial defects included facial skin, mucosal lining, and intervening soft tissue. Reconstruction was immediate and was not combined with another local flap. There were 17 patients (mean age, 61 years). Five patients had cutaneous malignancies and 12 patients had either mucosal or salivary gland malignancy. Defects were of the cheek and nose either alone or in combination. Defects ranged from 9 to 54 cm2. Nine patients had defects of either the skin or the mucosa with an associated soft-tissue component. These were reconstructed with a folded forearm flap with one skin island. Eight patients had full-thickness defects and were reconstructed with a folded flap with two skin islands. Flap survival was 100%. One case required reexploration for hematoma. Aesthetic results were good to excellent in 76% of patients. Delayed wound healing at the donor site occurred in 2 patients (11%). The folded/multiple skin island forearm flap is a useful tool for single-stage reconstruction of complex facial defects requiring replacement of skin, lining, and intervening soft tissue. Good to excellent aesthetic results can be expected in most patients. Disa JJ, Liew S, Cordeiro PG. Soft-tissue reconstruction of the face using the folded/multiple skin island radial forearm free flap.
Keywords: adult; clinical article; aged; middle aged; cancer surgery; retrospective studies; carcinoma, squamous cell; surgical flaps; melanoma; skin defect; facial neoplasms; sarcoma; wound healing; salivary gland tumor; graft survival; free tissue graft; hematoma; face; carcinoma, basal cell; soft tissue tumor; face surgery; skin transplantation; cheek; forearm; mucosa; nose; humans; human; male; female; priority journal; article; skin island flap
Journal Title: Annals of Plastic Surgery
Volume: 47
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0148-7043
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 2001-12-01
Start Page: 612
End Page: 619
Language: English
PUBMED: 11756830
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI: 10.1097/00000637-200112000-00006
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 21 May 2015 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Joseph Disa
    262 Disa
  2. Steven Liew
    2 Liew
  3. Peter G Cordeiro
    282 Cordeiro