Radial forearm free flap: hybrid version

The hybrid version of the radial forearm free flap provides an alternative method for reconstruction in the head and neck. It is versatile and has certain theoretical and practical advantages, including high-flow venous drainage, long venous pedicle, lymphatic drainage, and the avoidance of venous anastomosis or venous transpositional graft. In those situations when the availability of veins is reduced after a radical neck dissection or the quality of vein is poor because of previous irradiation, the hybrid free flap is the method of choice for microvascular reconstruction in the head and neck region.