COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF THE IPSILATERAL FULL-THICKNESS FOREARM SKIN-GRAFT IN CLOSURE OF RADIAL FOREARM FLAP DONOR SITE DEFECTS

The early experience of our unit with the technique of ipsilateral ful l thickness forearm skin grafting of the radial forearm flap donor sit e defect is described. The technique provides the advantages of a full thickness skin graft whilst avoiding the need to harvest skin from a remote area. We have compared the results with that of split skin graf ts used contemporaneously for the same purpose in our unit; the advant ages and disadvantages are outlined. Continued success has encouraged us to utilize this technique routinely with certain modifications whic h we describe.