Immediate full-thickness facial defects reconstruction using the radial forearm free flap

Summary The restoration of composite tissue defects of the oral cavity involving skin and mucosa remains a difficult problem for reconstructive surgeons. A method for immediate one-stage reconstruction of combined intraoral and facial defects with the radial forearm free flap is described. Four patients operated on between July and December of 1991 for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity involving oral mucosa, skin and in two cases the mandible were reconstructed with a radial forearm flap to obtain reconstruction of facial and intraoral mucosa. The area of the fold is deepithelialized to be sutured to adjacent tissue.     

Reconstruction of large intraoral and adjacent cheek defects by free radial forearm flap

Summary Eighteen patients with intraoral and oropharyngeal carcinoma were treated by radical excision for extensive infiltration of tumour into adjacent tissue. Defects were repaired by free radial forearm flaps. Three patients had bony defects in addition to mucosal and skin defects. The free flap can be easily folded to repair skin and mucosa simultaneously. We consider the free forearm flap to be the procedure of choice in selected cases of large intraoral and adjacent cheek defects.     

Reconstruction of oropharyngeal defects utilizing a free radial forearm flap

The authors report their experience with free radial forearm flaps for oropharyngeal reconstruction. Fifteen patients who submitted to intraoral reconstruction with this flap were followed for periods ranging from 3 to 36 months, with a mean of 14 months. Ages ranged from 15 to 58 years with a mean of 41. The defects were secondary to tumor ablation (11 patients), complications of conventional treatment for congenital deformities (3 patients) and trauma resulting from a gunshot wound to the upper lip and palate (1 patient). Total necrosis of 1 flap occurred and 1 patients required reoperation on the first postoperativeday for revisionof the anastomoses. Our results enable us to recommend the radial forearm flap as the flap of choice for reconstruction of extensive oropharyngeal defects. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

An island palatal flap for velum reconstruction

Summary Several methods for the reconstruction of the soft palate and tonsilar fossa after cancer surgery are reviewed. Most techniques make use of skin borrowed from the forehead, the neck, the cheek or the thorax. For an average size defect, the authors have used with success an island of mucoperiosteum taken from the hard palate.     

颞肌蒂下颌骨瓣联合前臂皮瓣一期修复腭上颌缺损

目的 探讨颞肌蒂下颌骨瓣与游离前臂皮瓣联合修复腭上颌缺损的临床疗效. 方法 2008年3月至2011年3月,共收治恶性肿瘤切除后腭上颌缺损9例,其中男6例,女3例,年龄34～68岁,平均57岁.根据Browm上颌骨缺损分类,其中Ⅱ B类8例,Ⅱ C类1例.均采用颞肌蒂下颌骨瓣与游离前臂皮瓣联合修复. 结果 9例移植的骨瓣及皮瓣均成活.随访期10～24个月,平均随访期14个月,除1例软骨肉瘤病例术后复发外,其余病例的面部外形和功能均恢复满意,供区未见并发症.结论 应用颞肌蒂下颌骨瓣与游离前臂皮瓣联合修复腭上颌缺损具有操作简单易行、安全可靠和并发症少等优点,是修复上颌骨缺损的较理想术式.     

Squamous cell carcinoma in discoid lupus erythematosus: Reconstruction with a free forearm fasciocutaneous flap

We present the first free flap operation to our knowledge for a patient with squamous cell carcinoma on a lesion of discoid lupus erythematosus. Although the disease affects the skin, the defect was reconstructed successfully with a free radial forearm fasciocutaneous flap.     

前臂皮瓣联合邻近组织瓣修复腭及上颌组织缺损早期疗效

目的探讨游离前臂皮瓣联合邻近组织瓣修复腭、上颌组织缺损的方法和疗效。方法 2005年3月-2010年5月收治17例腭及上颌部肿瘤患者。男11例,女6例;年龄45～74岁,平均62.5岁。良性肿瘤1例;恶性肿瘤16例,其中腭部鳞状细胞癌7例,腭部鳞状细胞癌术后复发1例,腭部恶性黑色素瘤1例,腭部腺样囊腺癌1例,上颌恶性黑色素瘤1例,上颌导管癌1例,上颌鳞状细胞癌4例。病灶切除后缺损范围为7.0cm×5.5cm～10.0cm×7.5cm;根据Brown等对上颌骨缺损的分类标准,Ⅱ类15例,Ⅲ类2例;合并眶底、眶下缘骨质缺损2例。根据腭、上颌组织缺损类型,以游离前臂皮瓣联合颊脂垫行即刻修复11例,以游离前臂皮瓣联合颊脂垫及颞肌下颌骨骨肌瓣即刻修复6例。术后观察组织瓣成活情况及语言、吞咽、呼吸功能恢复情况及患者面部外形恢复情况。结果 17例前臂皮瓣和邻近组织瓣均成活;供区植皮均成活,切口均Ⅰ期愈合。患者均获随访,随访时间6～12个月。肿瘤无复发。患者语言、吞咽、呼吸基本正常,无明显开口受限,面部外形满意,无严重畸形。合并眶底、眶下缘骨质缺损者,未出现眼球内陷。患者术后均无明显口鼻瘘,口、鼻腔功能恢复满意。结论根据腭、上颌组织缺损的情况,选择游离前臂皮瓣联合颊脂垫或颊脂垫及下颌骨骨肌瓣进行修复,可达到较好的早期疗效。     

Reconstruction of the hard palate using the radial forearm free flap: indications and outcomes

BACKGROUND: Although prosthetic obturation is the "gold standard" for restoration of hard-palate defects, obturators can be problematic. We present 10 cases of palatal reconstruction with the radial forearm free flap and compare patient satisfaction with defect-matched patients rehabilitated with prosthetic obturation. METHODS: Twelve patients who underwent radial forearm free flap (RFFF) reconstruction of a hard-palate defect and eight patients, with similar-sized defects who were rehabilitated with a prosthetic obturator, were evaluated for donor site and recipient site complications, diet, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: All the patients in both groups were able to resume an unrestricted diet with normal mastication and articulation. Both groups achieved equivalent satisfaction scores with regard to appearance, chewing, and taste; however, the patients reconstructed with an RFFF reported higher satisfaction scores in speech, comfort, convenience, and social interaction. CONCLUSIONS: RFFF reconstruction of hard-palate defects provides a functional alternative to conventional prosthetic obturators.     

耳后游离皮瓣移植修复鼻部分缺损

目的 应用能携带耳廓软骨，色泽与鼻部相近的小型游离皮瓣修复鼻部分缺损。方法 采用以耳后动、静脉为血管蒂的耳后游离皮瓣行吻合血管的移植，对5例鼻部缺损进行了修复。结果 3例术后皮瓣血运完全正常，2例术后1－4d内有不同程度的静脉回流障碍。5例皮瓣最终全部成活，术后效果较为满意。结论 本手术供区隐藏，皮瓣不臃肿，色泽与鼻部相近，1次手术即可达到较满意的修复效果，是修复鼻尖、鼻翼大部缺损可供选择的一种方法。     

The free radial forearm flap for reconstruction of facial defects in noma patients

Within a 2-year period ten patients aged 5–22 years were treated for facial sequelae of noma. In six cases free radial forearm flaps were used, combined with local and regional flaps. The indications were defects located in the midface and perioral area. There were no free or regional flap losses in this series. The aesthetic and functional results were appreciated by the patients and there were no functional problems related to the donor area because a suprafascial flap dissection technique was used. In our experience the free radial forearm flap is a valuable option for facial reconstruction in NOMA cases. The advantages include: (1) A very long and large calibre pedicle; (2) thin and pliable flaps of variable size and configuration; (3) the possibility of single stage reconstruction in selected cases. The disadvantages include the not always ideal colour match, both in black patients and in white, and the unsightly donor area which, however, has never led to functional problems. Received: 25 May 1999 / Accepted: 6 June 1999     

腓骨游离瓣重建口腔下颌骨缺损

目的　探讨腓骨游离瓣在口腔下颌骨缺损修复中的应用价值。　方法　对１９９６ 年４月以来以腓骨游离（ 皮） 瓣一期修复口腔下颌骨缺损的２６ 例进行回顾分析,记录供、受区创口愈合及骨瓣存活情况,分析术后３ 个月颜面外形、张口度及供区并发症,并摄 Ｘ 线片了解移植骨愈合、固位以及剩余腓骨段及踝关节变化情况。　结果　１７ 例移植骨瓣及９ 例骨皮瓣全部成活。２５ 例受区创口一期愈合。术后３ 个月颜面外形１５ 例为优,７ 例中等,４ 例差;２３ 例张口度大于２５ ｃｍ 。所有吞咽功能均正常。２ 例供区有肿痛,１ 例小腿外侧皮肤麻木,２ 例跑步受限,１ 例轻度跛行。 Ｘ 线片显示２４ 例端对位良好,骨痂形成正常,除１ 例远端残余腓骨段外移外,其余未见腓骨及踝关节位置变化。　结论　腓骨游离瓣是一种比较理想的下颌骨缺损修复材料。可用于修复各类下颌骨缺损,尤其适应于涉及双侧下颌体直线缺损的修复;可同期植入种植体,恢复咀嚼功能     

Reconstruction of the trachea with a tubed radial forearm free flap

BACKGROUND: We present the case of a patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea who had 60 mm of the trachea excised and reconstructed with a stented radial forearm free flap. The patient was well in the immediate postoperative period with good function of the neotrachea. Problems developing after the reconstruction included proximal stricture, sputum retention, and recurrent pneumonia. RESULT: The patient died of malignant hypercalcemia 16 months after the reconstruction. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of a total tracheal resection and reconstruction with a combination of free tissue transfer and internal stenting. CONCLUSION: We conclude that tracheal reconstruction has the potential to provide a reliable airway in patients not able to be reconstructed with a primary anastomosis.     

The radial forearm flap

Described in 1981 by the Chinese authors Yang Kuofan et al. [1] as a free flap, then in 1982 by Lu et al. [2] as a retrograde flow pedicle flap, this fasciocutaneous flap is designed at the level of the anterior and external faces of the forearm, and vascularized by the radial artery via a network of septal arteries. Prior to utilization it must be reversed on its distal pedicle. This flap allows repairing cutaneous substance loss of the whole hand and fingers. The emergence of the Chinese flap in the 1980’s resulted in a regression of the Mac Gregor groin flap that was widely used at this time [3,4]. Nevertheless, other forearm flaps, less “expensive” in terms of vascular involvement [5–9] have reduced its indications. The Chinese flap however keeps two essential indications: the multi-finger important defect that no other forearmflapmay cover; and composite substance loss of the thumb (despite the fact that the Chinese flap shares these indications with interosseous artery composite flaps).     

Reconstruction of the median anterior skull base with an intracranial free radial forearm flap after recurrent resection of tumour

Abstract

We report a case of a median anterior skull base defect that was reconstructed with a free radial forearm flap. The flap was used intracranially, whereas the vascular anastomosis was made extracranially, with the pedicle running through a burr hole in the skull. This technique was succesful in sealing the skull base from the nasal cavity and preventing leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, infection, or herniation of brain tissue. We report the reconstructive procedure, an overview of other options, and the reasons for the decisions in this case.     

应用前臂游离皮瓣折叠法修复大型腭部洞穿性缺损

目的 探讨大型腭部洞穿性缺损修复的方法.方法 2003年至2006年,我们应用前臂游离皮瓣折叠法为7例患者进行了腭部洞穿性缺损修复,共使用皮瓣8块,其中前臂游离皮瓣7块,胸大肌岛状瓣1块.结果 除1例前臂游离皮瓣因动脉栓塞失败外,其余组织瓣完全成活,再造腭部形态良好.患者可经口腔正常进食,并进行基本正常的语言交流.结论 利用前臂游离皮瓣折叠法进行大型腭部洞穿性缺损的修复,是一种有效可行的方法.     

Resurfacing of the nasopharynx after nasopharyngectomy using a free radial forearm flap

BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngectomy is emerging as an important treatment option for salvaging locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). After nasopharyngectomy, resurfacing the nasopharynx and covering the internal carotid artery is important to minimize the risk of infection, osteoradionecrosis, and carotid rupture. Previous authors have advocated the use of free grafts of skin and mucosa for this purpose but have also described significant rates of partial and total graft failure. METHODS: We believe that the best and most reliable way to resurface the nasopharynx is with vascularized tissue, and our preference is for the use of a free radial forearm flap. To illustrate our approach, we present two patients who underwent nasopharyngectomy by means of a maxillary swing approach and who had resurfacing of the surgical defect with a free radial forearm flap. RESULTS: Both patients had complete en bloc resection of tumor followed by the insetting of a free radial forearm flap to reline the surgical defect. Both flaps remained completely viable, and both patients achieved successful resurfacing of the entire nasopharynx. The morbidity of surgery was minimal, and there were no perioperative complications. On assessment 1 year later, the free radial forearm flap continues to reline the entire neonasopharynx, and the long-term functional recovery after surgery is excellent. CONCLUSION: Resurfacing the nasopharynx after nasopharyngectomy with a free radial forearm flap aids healing and minimizes the risk of complications. The morbidity of surgery is minimal and the functional recovery is excellent.