Functional lower lip reconstruction with a forearm flap combined with a free gracilis muscle transfer.

We applied a forearm flap combined with a gracilis muscle flap for total reconstruction of the lower lip. The motor nerve of the gracilis muscle was repaired to the buccal branch in the cheek. The patient obtained good sphincter function for eating and speaking, and he could inflate a balloon without air leakage.     

Full-thickness cheek and lip reconstruction with the radial forearm free flap

The radial forearm free flap has proven versatility in head and neck reconstruction. It is superior to regional alternatives such as the pectoralis flap because it is thin, pliable, and predominantly hairless. A more recent application is the use of the folded forearm flap to replace both the skin and inner lining, simultaneously, in full-thickness cheek and lip defects. Nine such cases are presented in this report. Each patient had a recurrent lesion that had been reconstructed previously with local flaps, and all but one were treated with postoperative radiation therapy. The average size of the external defects after resection was 27 cm2, and of the intraoral defects, 18 cm2. All free flaps survived completely. The folded forearm flap solved the reconstructive problem for each patient in a single-stage procedure, providing good contour and a reasonable color match. The flap is easy to raise, has a long pedicle with large-diameter vessels, and has an acceptable donor site defect not associated with long-term morbidity.     

Esthetic and functional reconstruction for burn deformities of the lower lip and chin with free radial forearm flap

Burn injury often has produced deformity both of contours and cover in face and neck. Hypertrophic burn scar contracture of the lower face and neck is one of the most difficult subjects to solve because it produces problems with function and appearance. In planning the correction, the restoration of normal form and function is the best way in reconstruction.From January 1998 to January 2002, we had 7 patients who had scar contractures of the lower face and neck. We reconstructed their deformities with free radial forearm flap and skin graft. We could get restoration of the facial form to normal shape, position, and quality of the facial skin cover homogeneity. No remarkable complications have been found in all 7 patients.For better outcomes, there are some considerations. The lowest margin of the flap should be limited to at least 1 finger breadth above the hyoid bone because low setting of the flap may deteriorate the cervicomental angle. The skin graft is undertaken in the cervical region. Adhesion between the flap dermis and wound bed may be necessary for reconstruction of the labiomental sulcus.Burn deformities of the lower face and neck area were resurfaced with free radial forearm flap and skin graft. Flaps did not look completely normal, but those were compatible with the adjacent skin. We could have an adequate functional resurfacing and optimal esthetic outcomes while minimizing recurrent contractures.     

A compound radial artery forearm flap for the reconstruction of lip and chin defect

This report presents a successful case of lip and chin reconstruction by a compound radial artery forearm free flap. This was a versatile source of tissue in the absence of local tissue for reconstruction.     

Prelaminated free radial forearm flap for a total nasal reconstruction.

A prelaminated osteocutaneous radial forearm flap has previously been described for total nasal reconstruction, but achieving good aesthetics at the dorsum and tip tends to be difficult with a flap that can be too bulky. We present a case of total nasal reconstruction in a burns patient where a tight adherent scar at the forehead precluded the use of a forehead flap, ideal for such reconstructions. We successfully used a prelaminated free radial forearm flap, with a non-vascularised bone graft. The existing scarred skin at the dorsum was turned down as pedicled flaps for the lining. We were able to achieve a successful total nasal reconstruction which was aesthetically pleasing and made a tremendous impact on the quality of life of the patient.     

Reestablished circulation after free radial forearm flap transfer

New circulation in the free flap reestablished at the recipient site is the key to successful microvascular reconstructive surgery. This study is the first evaluation of long-term circulatory changes in nine free radial forearm flap transfers. Postoperatively, color Doppler studies revealed that the flow volume through the arterial pedicle increased rapidly during the first 3 days, gradually increased until day 14 (exceeding flow volume through the facial artery of the unoperated contralateral side), then decreased slightly until the sixth month. The pulsatility index, representing vascular resistance downstream, decreased successively. Ohm's law explains that this flow increase is caused by reduced vascular resistance downstream, attributed to changes in the vascularity of the transferred flap and in the recipient bed. The authors believe the circulatory changes are determinants of the clinical properties of the flap. This study addresses the importance of clarifying the events that transpire at the macroscopic circulatory level in the transferred free flap.     

Eye socket reconstruction with free radial forearm flap

Deformity of the orbital region and contraction of the eye socket were encountered in 3 patients who in their infancy underwent exenteration of the orbit and postoperative irradiation for the treatment of retinoblastoma. These major problems were attributed to the less-vascularized cicatricial conjunctiva left in place. To solve these disadvantages, a microvascular technique using a free radial forearm flap was adopted. A large permanent eye socket was achieved and depression deformity of the orbital region was corrected in a one-stage operation. This is, to our knowledge, the first report on the use of a free vascularized skin flap for "malignant contracture" of an anophthalmic eye socket. The excellent cosmetic results of this method are demonstrated.     

前臂游离皮瓣在保存舌功能的半舌再造术中的应用

目的 探讨前臂游离皮瓣在保存舌功能的半舌再造术中的I临床应用.方法 2002年7月至2006年11月,对40例原发灶为舌侧缘且未超过中线的舌癌患者,于舌癌联合根治术同期行吻合血管的前臂游离皮瓣移植修复半舌缺损,部分病例将前臂外侧皮神经与舌神经断端吻合,制备成感觉皮瓣.结果 40例患者伤口均一期愈合,前臂游离皮瓣完全成活.术后随访6个月至4年6个月,平均2年6个月,供、受区均无严重并发症.再造舌外形好,运动协调.吞咽、语音功能接近正常,感觉功能也有不同程度的恢复,临床疗效满意.结论 对于舌癌联合根治术造成的半舌缺损,应用前臂游离皮瓣修复的临床效果满意.重建后的舌功能恢复较为理想.     

Functional comparison after reconstruction with a radial forearm free flap or a pectoralis major flap for cancer of the tongue.

OBJECTIVE: Numerous patients in Taiwan with tongue carcinoma require tongue reconstruction. We compared the abilities of 2 methods of tongue reconstruction to reserve tongue function. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Sixty patients underwent resection of the tumors and reconstruction with a pectoralis major flap or a radial forearm flap. The Chinese articulation test was used to evaluate the place and manner of error production, and a questionnaire on dietary habits was used to evaluate deglutition 6 months to 10 years after reconstruction. RESULTS: Patients with the free flap had more intelligible speech. The questionnaire study showed no significant difference between the 2 groups in swallowing rating. Motility caused by flap pliability increased speech intelligibility more than it did on swallowing function. CONCLUSION: Our experience in a few selected patients shows that the functional outcome of tongue surgery is related to the reconstruction methods used (for speech) and to the extent of tongue resection (for swallowing).     

Microsurgical penile reconstruction with a sensitive radial forearm free flap

A series of six consecutive cases of total penile reconstruction with a sensitive forearm free flap based on the radial artery is presented. A simple, reliable, and easily reproducible technique with an acceptable aesthetic appearance is described. No partial or complete flap losses were found. The only complication found in three patients was a urinary fistula on the distal third of the flap, which was repaired successfully with a secondary surgical procedure. The aesthetic and functional outcome was satisfactory to the patient and surgical team in all cases. A sensitive radial forearm free flap is a good choice of treatment for total penile reconstruction.     

Tongue reconstruction with free radial forearm flap after hemiglossectomy: a functional assessment

Thirty-three patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anteriolateral part of the tongue underwent a 50 percent resection of the tongue. The surgical defect was reconstructed with a microvascular radial forearm flap. All the flaps were especially designed to have a narrow waist, shaped like an omega in cross-section, thus allowing for a free tongue tip, and avoiding suturing the edge of the flap to the soft palate and tongue base. Sixteen patients were evaluated for swallowing and speech function at least 6 months following reconstruction. With this technique, the majority of the patients had nearly normal deglutition, although their speech was still unsatisfactory. However, the speech function in this series was better than that in other reported series.     

Burned ear reconstruction using a prefabricated free radial forearm flap

Postauricular skin, postauricular fascia, temporoparietal fascia (pedicle or free), the free radial forearm flap (fascial or fasciocutaneous), and free lateral arm fascial flap, have been used for burned ear reconstruction reported in the literature. Patients who did not have normal tissue around the ear region, because of severe thermal injuries to the external ear, are not available for draping the costal cartilage framework; these patients require free flaps. The author reports a burned ear reconstruction, using a prefabricated free radial forearm fasciocutaneous flap, included an autogenous costal cartilage framework. In this case, the front and back of the cartilage framework were covered with the skin of the forearm flap. This is the main difference from other techniques in the literature. This flap is valuable for burned ear reconstruction, when local tissue and other free flaps are not available.     

Human tracheal reconstruction with a composite radial forearm free flap and prosthesis

Reconstruction of large tracheal defects has been largely unsuccessful. We report a novel single-stage tracheal reconstruction for a 6.5-cm long defect involving the anterior two thirds of the tracheal circumference in a patient with deeply infiltrative thyroid cancer into the tracheal lumen. The reconstruction was completed using a conduit composed of a radial forearm free flap for lining with a combined PolyMax mesh (Synthes, Paoli, PA) and Hemashield vascular graft (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA) for rigid support. At a 6-month follow-up the patient has normal swallowing and preoperative voice quality, and she maintains a patent, non-stented airway.