scholarly journals A Vascular Variation in Radial Forearm Free Flap Harvesting: Distal Branching of the Radial Artery—A Case Report

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 247275122110414
Author(s):  
Jonas Wüster ◽  
Benedicta Beck-Broichsitter ◽  
Steffen Koerdt ◽  
Max Heiland ◽  
Maximilian Goedecke

Study Design: Case report. Objective: By reporting such a rare vascular variation of the radial artery, we aim to make other surgeons aware of comparable vascular variations in radial forearm free flap harvesting. Methods: In this case report, we present an 84-year-old male patient, with a rare distal branching of the radial artery into the deep palmar branch, approximately 7 cm from the wrist. In order to visualize the vascular variation, intraoperative photo documentation took place. Results: The radial free flap harvesting was successful and no postoperative complications were noted. Conclusions: Distal branching of the radial artery into the deep palmar branch may occur in radial forearm free flap harvesting. Since no restrictions in flap perfusion and/or hand perfusion were observed in our case, we recommend radial forearm free flap raising in the traditional way. No changes concerning the design and the positioning of the skin paddle need to be made.

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 646-650
Author(s):  
Giulio Menichini ◽  
Sara Calabrese ◽  
Nicola Alfonsi ◽  
Marco Innocenti

Head and neck reconstruction poses unique challenges in rehabilitating surgical defects in terms of integrity, function, and form. The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) has been widely used for defect coverage, especially in the head and neck area, but its versatility allows it to be used for soft-tissue reconstruction in various parts of the body. The vascular features of the flap are quite constant and reliable. Nevertheless, abnormalities of the forearm vascular tree have been described over the decades. We report a case of intraoral reconstruction after verrucous carcinoma recurrence in a 74-year-old woman with an unusual forearm flap, which we called the median forearm free flap, based on a median branch of the radial artery that was preoperatively detected using handheld Doppler ultrasonography. The distally located skin paddle was predominantly supplied by the aberrant median vessel with its perforators. The flap was thus safely harvested with this atypical pedicle. Successful reconstruction of the intraoral defect was achieved, with an uneventful postoperative course.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-13
Author(s):  
Michele Sessa ◽  
Daniela Tonni ◽  
Daria Salsi ◽  
Flavio Cesare Bodini ◽  
Emanuele Michieletti ◽  
...  

Folia Medica ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 60-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitar D. Pazardzhikliev ◽  
Christo D. Shipkov ◽  
Ilya P. Yovchev ◽  
Regina H. Khater ◽  
Ivailo S. Kamishev

ABSTRACT Adequate reconstruction of defects that are consequences of glossectomy is of primary importance for achieving satisfactory functional results and improving the quality of life. AIM: The aim of this study was to report a case of free flap reconstruction of a subtotal glossectomy defect and discuss it in relation to other available methods. CASE REPORT: A 48- year-old woman was operated on for a T4N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. A subtotal glossectomy via mandibular swing procedure with bilateral supraomohyoid neck dissection and reconstruction with a radial forearm free flap (RFFF) was performed. Surgery was followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. RESULTS: The post-operative period was uneventful. The patient resumed intelligible speech evaluated as “excellent” and oral feeding. The donor site morbidity was acceptable. Present reconstructive options of the tongue include two categories: to maintain mobility or to provide bulk. In glossectomy with 30 to 50 percent preservation of the original musculature, maintaining the mobility of the remaining tongue by a thin, pliable flap is preferred. This can be achieved by infrahyoid myofascial, medial sural artery perforator flap, RFFF, anterolateral thigh and ulnar forearm flap. When the post-resectional volume is less than 30 percent of the original tongue, the reconstruction shifts to restoration of bulk to facilitate swallowing by providing contact of the neotongue with the palate. Flaps providing bulk include the free TRAM flap, latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap, pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap and trapezius island flap. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of advanced tongue cancer requires adequate reconstruction with restoration of speech, swallowing and oral feeding. Free tissue transfer seems to achieve superior functional results with acceptable donor site morbidity when indicated.


2014 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-64
Author(s):  
MA Litu ◽  
NK Chowdhury ◽  
M Rahman ◽  
S Hassan ◽  
ABM Korshed Alam ◽  
...  

The terms free flap and free tissue transfer are synonymous used to describe the movement of tissue from one site on the body to another. "Free" implies that the tissue, along with its blood supply, is detached from the original location (donor site) and then transferred to another location (recipient site). However, studies are still going on about the different aspects of its success and failure. The present case report is one such step to share our experience. In this case report successful microvascular free tissue transfer was possible With the increase in experience we can expect increased success rate as well. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmj.v40i2.18515 Bangladesh Medical Journal 2011 Vol.40(2): 62-64


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document