Dataset Information

Radial forearm free flap in a patient with an unusual radial artery variation: a case report.

ABSTRACT: Head and neck reconstruction poses unique challenges in rehabilitating surgical defects in terms of integrity, function, and form. The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) has been widely used for defect coverage, especially in the head and neck area, but its versatility allows it to be used for soft-tissue reconstruction in various parts of the body. The vascular features of the flap are quite constant and reliable. Nevertheless, abnormalities of the forearm vascular tree have been described over the decades. We report a case of intraoral reconstruction after verrucous carcinoma recurrence in a 74-year-old woman with an unusual forearm flap, which we called the median forearm free flap, based on a median branch of the radial artery that was preoperatively detected using handheld Doppler ultrasonography. The distally located skin paddle was predominantly supplied by the aberrant median vessel with its perforators. The flap was thus safely harvested with this atypical pedicle. Successful reconstruction of the intraoral defect was achieved, with an uneventful postoperative course.

SUBMITTER: Menichini G

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8627948 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Radial forearm free flap in a patient with an unusual radial artery variation: a case report.

Menichini Giulio G Calabrese Sara S Alfonsi Nicola N Innocenti Marco M

Archives of plastic surgery 20211115 6

Head and neck reconstruction poses unique challenges in rehabilitating surgical defects in terms of integrity, function, and form. The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) has been widely used for defect coverage, especially in the head and neck area, but its versatility allows it to be used for soft-tissue reconstruction in various parts of the body. The vascular features of the flap are quite constant and reliable. Nevertheless, abnormalities of the forearm vascular tree have been described over th ...[more]

PMID: 34818712

Similar Datasets

Project description:Both free posterior tibial flap (FPTF) and free radial forearm flap (FRFF) are commonly used for head and neck defects. They have many similarities in embryology, histology, and anatomy, but their advantages and disadvantages in head and neck repair have not been fully recognized. This study aimed to compare the cadaveric anatomy and clinical application of FPTF and FRFF for the reconstruction of head and neck defects after tumor resection. Anatomical dissection was performed on 10 fresh adult cadavers. The general characteristics of both flaps and the sites of recipients and donors were collected. A total of 31 and 25 patients underwent FPTF and FRFF construction, respectively. The patient medical records were assessed to obtain the clinical characteristics. Characteristics of the flap such as size, pedicle length, and clinical process data were collected and compared. The appearance, sensory disturbance, and effect on quality of life and daily activity were evaluated. The posterior tibial artery was present and observed in all patients. The posterior vascular pedicle was longer than the radial artery. There was no difference between the diameters of arteries of FPTF and FRFF; however, the diameters of their veins differed. In terms of flap characteristics, FPTF was significantly larger and had a longer vascular pedicle than FRFF (40.68±11.07 vs. 53.77±29.02 cm2, P=0.03; 8.48±1.66 vs. 11.10±2.39 cm, P=0.00). Patients in the FPTF group had a significantly shorter total hospital stay (FRFF: 26.48±8.33 d; FPTF: 18.58±6.68 d), postoperative hospital stay (FRFF: 17.60±5.53 d; FPTF: 10.94±3.62 d), and flap harvest time (FRFF: 87.00±20.92 min; FPTF: 65.00±17.56 min) than FRFF group. There were far more complications of the donor site in the FRFF group than in the FPTF group. Also, according to the patients' subjective evaluations of the donor site, FPTF was superior to FRFF (P=0.00). FPTF is a reliable alternative to FRFF for head and neck reconstruction. These techniques share similar certain embryogenesis and anatomical characteristics but FPTF possesses unique aesthetic and clinical application advantages.

Dataset Information

Radial forearm free flap in a patient with an unusual radial artery variation: a case report.

Publications

Radial forearm free flap in a patient with an unusual radial artery variation: a case report.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets