A Modified Design of the Buried Radial Forearm Free Flap for Use in Oral Cavity and Pharyngeal Reconstruction

Objective: We present a new design for the radial forearm flap that includes a small monitor segment that is connected to the primary skin paddle by a fascial subcutaneous segment of tissue. This design modification permits buried flaps to be easily monitored and provides vascularized tissue coverage of the flap vessels as well as the great vessels in the neck. Immediate augmentation of the radical neck deformity can be achieved. Setting: This study was conducted at a referral center. Patients: Fifteen patients with squamous cell cancer of the pharynx and tongue base were included in this study. The defects in these patients were judged to be best reconstructed with a radial forearm free flap. Results: All free flaps in this series survived. There was one case, described in detail, in which the fascial subcutaneous portion of the flap was exposed to salivary contamination. The flap vessels remained well protected and flap viability was unimpaired.