Comparison of Skin Graft for the Defect of the Radial Forearm Free Flap
10.3342/kjorl-hns.2019.00129
- Author:
Joon Kyoo LEE
1
;
Sung Ho YOON
;
Tae Gu KANG
;
Jae Gu KIM
;
Hee Young KIM
;
Hye Rin LIM
;
Se Hyun JEONG
;
Kyeong Suk PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Korea. joonkyoo@jnu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Forearm;
Free tissue flaps;
Reconstructive surgical procedures;
Skin transplantation
- MeSH:
Cicatrix;
Forearm;
Free Tissue Flaps;
Humans;
Methods;
Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy;
Pigmentation;
Pliability;
Reconstructive Surgical Procedures;
Skin Transplantation;
Skin;
Thigh;
Tissue Donors;
Transplants
- From:Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
2019;62(9):515-519
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study compared two types of skin graft reconstruction for the defect of the radial forearm free flap. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Ten cases of split-thickness skin graft (STSG) harvested from the thigh were analyzed. Also, ten cases of full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) harvest from the inguinal area applied with vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system were analyzed. RESULTS: The defect size of the radial forearm was increased more in the STSG group than in the FTSG group (p<0.05). Skin grafts were recovered completely sooner in the FTSG group than in the STSG group although it was not statistically significant (p=0.082). Five complications (pruritus, hypertrophic scar) were found in the donor site in the STSG group (p<0.05). FTSG gave better scores according to the Vancouver Scar Scale in terms of pigmentation, pliability, and height (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: FTSG harvested from the inguinal area with the application of VAC system has many advantages for the defect of the radial forearm free flap although it is usually used for smaller size defects than for STSGs.
