Abstract
Closure of the radial free flap donor site remains a problem. Donor site morbidity is related to poor skin graft taking, inaesthetic appearance and hand sensory dysfunction. From January 1998 to December 2002, 41 radial free flaps were harvested. The donor site closure technique consisted of a combination of: flexor tendons coverage, purse string and local meshed full-thickness skin graft. The mean time of wound healing of the donor site was 4.68 weeks. Four patients (16%) developed a partial necrosis of the skin graft. Nine patients (36%) showed a definitive hypoaesthesia in the dorsal region of the thumb. Neither total necrosis of the skin graft nor exposure of flexor carpi radialis tendon was noted. The average visual analogue scale of the aesthetics was 6 (patients), 4.18 (students) and 7.2 (first author) out of 10. This technique for closing a small-to-medium sized radial donor site defect is recommended.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
