Donor site sequelae and patient satisfaction after head and neck reconstruction with a radial forearm free flap

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Donor site sequelae and patient satisfaction after head and neck reconstruction with a radial forearm free flap Via http://link.springer.com/journal/405,European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology,The European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Mar 15. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-06649-0. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT PURPOSE: Radial forearm free flap (RFFF) being a workhorse flap in head and neck reconstruction, we investigated its donor site delayed consequences. METHODS: Multicentric case series evaluating 189 patients who underwent RFFF for carcinologic reasons at least 6 months before. Patients and surgeon's appreciation regarding the aesthetic and functional consequences of the flap harvest on their daily life were evaluated by questionnaires using likert scales. Medical data were collected from patients' charts retrospectively. RESULTS: Thirty percent of patients had at least one sequelae. Experiencing a graft necrosis did not worsen long-term results. Cosmetic satisfaction was significantly worst for women, according to patients' and surgeons' opinion. For 81% and 92% patients, respectively, the flap harvest had no impact on d aily life nor sport practice. Ratio between the benefits of reconstruction and the sequelae at the donor site was judged "excellent" for 77% patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although objectively important, RFFF morbidity has little impact in head and neck cancer patient's life. PMID:33721068 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-021-06649-0 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.