Case report of substantial reconstruction of second ray segment by osteo-tendo-cutaneous pedicled radial forearm flap.

Introduction and importance: The hand is one of the most vital organ that the surgeon aims to preserve its function and natural appearance. Gunshot injuries are common, especially in a war zone, and unfortunately, they create complex wounds that are hard to reconstruct and infection is very common. In this article, we report rebuilding segment of index finger with a pedicled osteo-tendo-cutaneous radial forearm flap. Case presentation: A 50-year-old man-African with no past medical comorbidities, sustained trauma to his left index finger by high-velocity injury that led to composite tissue loss including metacarpal and proximal phalanx. After applying the initial irrigation and dressing to the wound, his hand was supported by a volar cast then he was referred to the hospital. The hand was examined at the operation room and the index finger was found to be hanged with a medial skin pedicle with necrotic and exposed bone and tendon. He underwent a session of debridement followed by reconstruction using a pedicled osteo-cutaneous radial forearm flap accompanied with metacarpophalangeal joint arthrodesis. Clinical discussion: A significant number of war-related hand injuries resulted in amputations because there were not enough facilities or doctors. While they are alternatives to free flap, abdominal and regional flaps won't yield the same outcomes. The second ray of the hand is reshaped using a radial flap, producing an acceptable result. Conclusion: The Radial forearm flap was used to reconstruct segment of index finger and fulfill our requirements, which include bone, tendon, and skin cover. Additionally, this is a simple and single stage procedure and micro-surgical equipment is not necessary.

Survival of Dental Implants Placed in Iliac, Fibula, and Radial Forearm Flaps: A Comprehensive Review.

Various donor sites have been extensively documented in the literature for bone free flaps in head and neck reconstruction. These include the radius, scapula, rib, ilium, femur, fibula, and metatarsal bone. Among them, the fibula, ilium, and scapula are the most commonly used and studied for placing endosseous implants and for rehabilitation purposes. Each donor site has its own advantages and disadvantages, which depend on factors such as whether the reconstruction is for the maxilla or mandible, the required volume and length of the bone and soft tissue, and the location, extent, and type of defect that needs to be reconstructed. The aim of this current review is to comprehensively assess the existing literature on the survival of implants in fibula, radial, and iliac flaps.

Shape-modified radial forearm flap: does it still have a role in upper extremity reconstruction?

OBJECTIVES: To carry out a radial forearm flap, the radial artery is usually harvested, incurring severe donor site morbidity. Advances in anatomical knowledge discovered constant radial artery perforating vessels, enabling the subdivision of the flap into smaller components suitable for a wide range of differently shaped recipient sites, with marked reduction of downsides. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight pedicled or free shape-modified radial forearm flaps were used to reconstruct upper extremity defects between 2014 and 2018. Surgical technique and prognosis were examined. Skin texture and scar quality were assessed on the Vancouver Scar Scale while function and symptoms on the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 39 months, no cases of flap necrosis, impaired hand circulation or cold intolerance were found. CONCLUSION: The shape-modified radial forearm flap is not a new technique, but is poorly known by hand surgeons; in contrast, our experience showed it to be reliable, with acceptable functional and esthetic outcomes in selected cases.

Multiple Free Flap Reconstruction of a Complex Intraoral Defect after Squamous Cell Carcinoma Excision: A Case Report.

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequent malignant cancer of the oral cavity. Metastasis involvement is one of the most relevant prognostic factors in terms of survival probability. Patients with oral cancers often undergo extensive en bloc resective surgery of the mandible and maxilla, with or without cervical nodal dissection, based on the presence or occult risk of regional metastases. Several factors affect the choice of flap, to recover aesthetics and function. Case Presentation: The case of a 60-year-old man who underwent maxillectomy with neck dissection as well as a reconstruction with a combination of multiple vascularized free flaps is presented. Conclusions: The excellent integration of the free flaps and the total absence of complications led to a high-quality aesthetic and functional performance of the reconstruction obtained through two different flaps. More specifically, the fibular free flap for bone reconstruction allows a two-team approach and maintains an excellent vascularization, even in case of several osteotomies for the maxillary reconstruction as reported. In addition, the use of free radial forearm flap for soft tissue reconstruction permits to obtain long caliber vessels, thus facilitating surgery without repositioning of the patient during surgery and therefore, consequently reducing surgery times.

Aesthetic improvements of radial forearm flap donor site by autologous fat transplantation.

Despite its reliability, radial forearm (RF) flap is still affected by high donor site morbidity with poor cosmetic and functional outcomes after coverage with skin grafts. Having fat grafting demonstrated promising and effective filling and rejuvenating properties, we considered and tested it as a valuable alternative to dermal substitutes for the aesthetic improvement of RF flap donor site. Thirty-three patients with previous RF free flap reconstruction and poor donor site outcomes after full-thickness skin grafting to RF region were evaluated for secondary fat injection to improve outcomes. Objective and subjective assessments of results with standardized ultrasonographic soft tissue thickness measurements, cutaneous sensibility tests with the pressure-specified sensory device and scar assessment scale (POSAS) have been performed. Bivariate statistical analyses were performed comparing outcomes with contralateral healthy forearm. All cases showed significant improvement in soft tissue thickness (p< 0.031), cutaneous sensibility and scar appearance, with improved patient's and observers' scar assessment scores (<0.001). In conclusion, fat transplantation is an effective procedure that provided us with an adjunctive autologous layer in-between skin graft and underlying fascia, as well as a rejuvenating effect on skin and scars.

Colgajo radial: experiencia del equipo de cirugía plástica de la Universidad de Chile / Radial forearm flaps: experience in ten patients

Background: Radial forearm flap is extraordinarily versatile thanks to its irrigation by the radial artery and its minor pedicles. It provides assorted alternatives for the reconstruction of proximal or distal defects of the arm and can be used as a free flap in head, neck, posterior trunk region, lower limb, esophagus and penis. It allows the incorporation of bone, tendons, nerves and muscle for complex lesion repair. Aim: To report our experience with radial forearm flap. Patients and Methods: Ten patients aged 20 to 65 years (four women) are reported. The lesions repaired were traumatic in four, infectious in three, secondary to tumors in two (a squamous intra oral adenocarcinoma in both patients) and vascular in one patient. Results: No patient had a partial or total loss of the flap. Five patients required complementary dermo epidermic grafts in a second intervention. Mean hospital stay was 30 days. All patients reported a favorable degree of satisfaction with the procedure. Conclusions: Radial forearm flaps are a good alternative for the repair of a great variety of lesions.

El colgajo radial, es un colgajo fasciocutáneo tipo II según Mathes y Nahai, de gran versatilidad gracias a su irrigación principal por la arteria radial y a sus pedículos menores, ofrece una amplia variedad de alternativas frente a la reconstrucción no sólo de defectos proximales o distales del brazo, sino que también es posible utilizarlo como colgajo libre en defectos de cabeza y cuello, porción posterior del tronco, extremidad inferior y reconstrucción de esófago y pene. Permite incorporar hueso, tendones, nervio y músculo para reparación de lesiones complejas, pudiéndose utilizar con flujo directo o flujo retrógrado. En el presente artículo, mostramos la experiencia adquirida por el equipo de Cirugía Plástica y Reconstructiva del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile en la utilización del colgajo radial, como alternativa de cobertura frente a diversos tipos de defectos. En nuestros resultados, el 100 por ciento de los pacientes evolucionó favorablemente, sin pérdidas parciales ni totales del colgajo; sólo algunos debieron recibir injertos dermo-epidérmicos (IDE) complementarios en un segundo tiempo, sin ningún otro procedimiento quirúrgico posterior al alta.

The Fascial Radial Flap Transfer: Case Report / 대한정형외과학회잡지

In open wounds of the hand that have exposed bone or tendons, management may be difficult. Compared with conventional cutaneous pedicle flaps, the fascial radial flap transfer has several advantages : (1) one operation is required by one operating team reliably and easy to perform, (2) the appearance is not bulky, (3) the donor area is closed primarily, and (4) the hand is free for early motion of the shoulder and the elbow. One potential disadvantage is the permanent loss of the contribution of the radial artery to the circulation of the hand. One case of the fascial radial flap transfer was performed at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery of Hanyang University Hospital, and satisfactory result was obtained.