RADIAL FOREARM FLAP - 8 YEARS EXPERIENCE WITH ORAL AND OROPHARYNGEAL RECONSTRUCTIONS - DONOR AND ACCEPTOR SITE MORBIDITY

The success rate of 56 free radial forearm flaps used between 1987 and 1995 in the University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands for oral a nd oropharyngeal reconstructions in cancer patients, was evaluated. Th ere were 36 men and 20 women. The most prevalent neoplasm was squamous cell carcinoma (n=52). Most tumours were stage IV (n=33). Oral tumors were most common (n=34), while oropharyngeal tumours were present in 22 patients. In 48 cases a fasciocutaneous flap was used, while an oss eofasciocutaneous flap was taken in 8 patients. Recipient-site problem s occurred in 31 patients (55%). There was total flap loss in 4 patien ts (7%) and partial flap loss in 4 (7%). Donor-site complications were seen in 18 patients (32%). Total loss of skin graft occurred in 1 pat ient (2%) and partial loss of skin grafts in 7 patients (13%). A fract ure of the radius was observed in 2 patients. The overall success rate of the radial forearm free flap was 86%. Free vascularised tissue tra nsfer to the oral and oropharyngeal regions should be carried out in a centre with a multidisciplinary head and neck team with experienced m icrosurgeons.