The use of subatmospheric pressure dressing for the coverage of radial forearm free flap donor-site exposed tendon complications

Since its description in China in 1978, the radial forearm free flap has be come a workhorse for the reconstructive surgeon. However, the flap has know n disadvantages in complications of the wrist donor site. Skin graft breakd own with exposure of the flexor tendons of the wrist is the most common. Th e authors describe in a patient series a new treatment for this complicatio n. They used subatmospheric pressure dressing to stimulate granulation tiss ue coverage of the tendon and to facilitate epithelialization. As many as o ne third of all patients undergoing radial forearm free flaps develop expos ed tendon complications and may benefit from Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) therapy.