Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
Procurement and Perfusion-Decellularization of Porcine Vascularized Flaps in a Customized Perfusion Bioreactor
Published on: August 1, 2022
Management of the radial forearm free flap donor site using a topically applied tissue expansion device
James P Bonaparte1, Martin J Corsten, Michael Odell
1Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. DrJames.Bonaparte@gmail.com
Background:
The purpose of this study was to prospectively assess clinical outcomes in patients undergoing a new method of donor site management for radial forearm free flaps.
Methods:
177 patients underwent reconstruction of ablative defects of the head and neck using a radial forearm free-flap. All patients had topical tissue expansion tapes applied to their forearms preoperatively. Closure rates, healing time and complications associated with the technique were assessed.
Results:
Ninety-five percent of patients had their donor sites closed primarily with a locally harvested full thickness skin graft. Complications related to the tissue expansion device included a loss of device adhesion (19.3%) requiring reapplication and minor pruritic reactions (4.1%).
Conclusions:
This system of donor site management has resulted in a significant reduction in the requirement of a split thickness skin graft for coverage of the donor site in a radial forearm free flap without any significant economic cost or patient morbidity.