Abstract
A radial forearm flap is thin and flexible, and has a long vascular pedicle. Therefore, this flap is suitable for reconstructing soft tissue defects in the head and neck region. From 1987 to September 2011, we carried out 401 free flap transfers in 395 patients for reconstruction of ablative defects of the head and neck. The free radical forearm flap was most commonly used (193), followed by the rectus abdominis (155), scapular flap (42), fibula flap (8), anterolateral thigh flap (2), and latissimus dorsi flap (1). The free radical forearm flap could be useful for reconstructing various kinds of defects including almost half of the tongue, floor of the mouth, buccal mucosa, and oropharynx. The overall success rate of this flap was 99% (191/193). The overall rate of complication of the recipient site was 20.1% (39/193), and that of the donor site was 13.9% (27/193).
This review presents our surgical procedures in flap elevation, venous anastomosis, and donor site coverage, and indications and inventions in reconstruction using this flap. The future problems of this flap in clinical applications are also discussed.
