OBJECTIVES To evaluate morbidity associated with the radial forearm free flap donor site and to compare functional and aesthetic outcomes of ulnar-based transposition flap (UBTF) vs split-thickness skin graft (STSG) closure of the donor site. DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING Tertiary care institution. PATIENTS The inclusion criteria were flap size not exceeding 30 cm(2), patient availab...

BACKGROUND The resection of large oropharyngeal tumors traditionally involves a lip-splitting mandibulotomy for adequate margin visualization and free flap reconstruction of the surgical defect. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has emerged as a technique that can resect large and complex oropharyngeal tumors, avoiding a lip-splitting approach. The aim of this study is to compare the lip-splitti...

INTRODUCTION Radial forearm free flap (RFFF) tube-in-tube phalloplasty is the most performed phalloplasty technique worldwide. The conspicuous donor-site scar is a drawback for some transgender men. In search for techniques with less conspicuous donor-sites, we performed a series of one-stage pedicled anterolateral thigh flap (ALT) phalloplasties combined with RFFF urethral reconstruction. In t...

This study reports five cases of crush-avulsion injury to the thumb at different levels presented at our plastic and hand surgery unit between 2005 and 2007. All of the patients were male labors with machine injuries to the thumb with non-replantable amputations. Distal phalanx or proximal phalanx, or both, were used as a free cortical bone graft. The amputated part was skeletonized keeping the...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS The radial forearm osteocutaneous free flap (RFOCFF) provides a thin pliable skin paddle with up to 11 cm of bone. A limitation of this flap is the thin bone that is obtained and the lack of suitability for dental implants. A minimum depth of 5 mm and height of 10 mm is required for a bony flap to accept osteointegrated implants. We propose that by double barreling the rad...

This study compares sensory recovery after total lower lip reconstruction in a wide variety of flaps including bilateral depressor anguli oris flap, submental island flap, bilateral fan flaps, radial forearm flap, and pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps in a large number of patients. Spontaneous return of flap sensation was documented by clinical testing in the majority (3%) of patients who und...

INTRODUCTION Squamous cell carcinoma is a common tumour of lower lip. Small defects created by surgical resection may be readily reconstructed by linear closure or with local flaps. However, large tumours resection often results with microstomia and oral incompetence, drooling, and speech incomprehension. The goal of this study is to describe our experience with composite free radial forearm-pa...

We report a case of postsurgical wound infection of polymicrobial etiology caused by Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa following the use of a radial forearm free flap for oncological tongue reconstruction. S. marcescens was a producer of SHV-12 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL). This is the first report from India of this ESBL. S. marcescens and P. aeruginosa were resistant t...

Skull base surgical defects present unique challenges to anatomic and functional reconstruction. Fortunately, many endonasal skull base defects are successfully managed with a variety of local and regional reconstructive techniques. However, when prior surgery or radiotherapy eliminates the use of these local and regional reconstructive options, more elaborate free tissue transfer techniques ar...