Rotation and advancement of the radial-based fasciocutaneous flap for primary closure of the radial forearm flap donor defect

This study aims to investigate the feasibility and clinical application value of a new method for primary donor-site closure of radial forearm flaps with the use of rotation and advancement of radial-based fasciocutaneous flaps. The forearm donor-site defects of 36 patients were primarily closed by rotation and advancement of radial-based fasciocutaneous flaps after radial flap harvest from November 2014 to May 2015. Patients included 28 males and 8 females aged 28 to 67 years (53.6 years old on average). Flap size ranged from 3.0 cm×5.0 cm to 4.0 cm×6.0 cm. Wound healing, scar hyperplasia, and forearm appearance were recorded and evaluated. Wrist flexion angle, dorsal extension angle, ulnar deviation angle, and radial deviation angle were measured three and six months after the operation. Wrist joint loss index was calculated and compared with the preoperative index to evaluate wrist function recovery. The results were subjected to comparative t- test to perform statistical analysis with SPSS 19.0 statistica