Long-term functional donor site morbidity after ulnar forearm flap harvest

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate long‐term functional donor site morbidity following ulnar forearm flap harvest taking both subjective and objective criteria into consideration. Methods In this retrospective analysis, 61 patients were evaluated for subjective and objective donor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Head & neck 2012-09, Vol.34 (9), p.1312-1316
Main Authors: Sieg, Peter, Dericioglu, Mete, Hansmann, Cathrin, Jacobsen, Hans-Christian, Trenkle, Thomas, Hakim, Samer G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biological and medical sciences
Disability Evaluation
donor site morbidity
Female
Forearm - surgery
Hand Strength
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
microsurgery
Microsurgery - methods
Middle Aged
Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology
Postoperative Complications
Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - methods
Retrospective Studies
Surgical Flaps
Surveys and Questionnaires
Transplant Donor Site - pathology
ulnar forearm flap
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Summary:Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate long‐term functional donor site morbidity following ulnar forearm flap harvest taking both subjective and objective criteria into consideration. Methods In this retrospective analysis, 61 patients were evaluated for subjective and objective donor site morbidity 3 to 164 months after flap harvest, and the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire was used for evaluation of subjective hand function. Results There was no significant grip strength decrease in the donor limbs. Two patients developed severe functional impairment of the donor forearm. DASH scores displayed only minor functional impairment, with marginally improving scores with increasing time lag to surgery. Conclusions Low donor site morbidity was found after ulnar flap harvest. However, minor rates of patients suffered from severe impairment of the hand function. Therefore, we recommend using the nondominant limb and informing the patients in detail about the specific functional limitations. Head Neck, 2012
ISSN:1043-3074
1097-0347
DOI:10.1002/hed.21918