2018 Volume 31 Issue 4 Pages 263-269
The free radial forearm flap is the main flap for head and neck reconstruction. However, it is associated with considerable morbidity at the donor site. A skin graft is a common way of closing the donor site, but complications, such as tendon exposure, occasionally occur. Several techniques for avoiding these donor site complications have been reported. We herein report the first use of a superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap to close the donor site defect after radial forearm flap elevation. In the present case, a SCIP flap was elevated above the superficial fascia as a thin flap, and the pedicle diameter was 0.5 mm. The SCIP flap was transplanted to the defect and anastomosed using a supermicriosurgical technique. The flap survived completely, and neither tendon exposure nor skin contraction have occurred. These findings suggest that a SCIP flap is a good option for closing the donor site of a free radial forearm flap.
