Closure of radial forearm free flap donor site: A comparative study between keystone flap and skin graft

Pauline Potet (1) , Guillaune de Bonnecaze (1) , Emilien Chabrillac (1) , Agnès Dupret Bories (2) , Sébastien Vergez (1, 2) , Benoit Chaput (1)

1 CHU Toulouse - Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse
2 IUCT Oncopole - UMR 1037 - Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse - Oncopole

Background The aim was to investigate the feasibility of radial forearm free flap (RFFF) donor site closure by keystone flap (KF) and compare its outcomes to those of skin graft (SG) closure. Methods One hundred and one patients who underwent RFFF for head and neck reconstruction were included (35 KF closure and 65 SG closure). Duration of wound healing and donor site complications was collected. After a minimal follow‐up of 1 year, patients were questioned about functional and esthetic impairment. Results Coverage of donor site by KF was successful in all cases. The duration of wound healing was longer after SG than after KF (32 days vs 18 days, P < .001). Healing complications, esthetic and functional results were not statistically different. Conclusion Forearm donor site closure by KF is a feasible alternative to the traditional SG. Its main advantages are the reduced wound healing time and the avoidance of a second donor site.

Mots clés: Esthetic and functional results; Donor site morbidity; Keystone flap; Radial forearm free flap; Skin graft

Domaines: Ingénierie biomédicale; Matériaux

Pauline Potet, Guillaune de Bonnecaze, Emilien Chabrillac, Agnès Dupret Bories, Sébastien Vergez, et al.. Closure of radial forearm free flap donor site: A comparative study between keystone flap and skin graft. Head & Neck, 2020, 42 (2), pp.217-223. ⟨10.1002/hed.25977⟩. ⟨hal-03200476⟩