Anatomical basis and clinical application of the ulnar forearm free flap for head and neck reconstruction.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: This study was designed to investigate the anatomical features and applications of the ulnar forearm flap in head and neck reconstructive surgery.

STUDY

DESIGN

A prospective study was designed to include 50 ulnar forearm free flap transplants in 50 patients. Patient defects requiring reconstructive surgery involved the buccal mucosa, tongue, floor of the mouth, upper or lower gums, lips, soft palate, and scalp. Twenty ulnar forearm flaps were analyzed along the entire ulnar artery to determine the anatomy and distribution of the ulnar artery septocutaneous perforators.

RESULTS

All 50 flaps were successfully transplanted into their respective sites. The mean diameters of the ulnar artery and vein were 2.3 ± 0.6 mm and 1.7 ± 0.6 mm, respectively. Arterial and venous size mismatch was experienced in 12 and 33 flaps, respectively. The mean number of sizable perforators was 4.3 ± 1.2, and most of the first perforators were located within 5 cm of the proximal wrist crease. None of the patients experienced long-term complications concerning the ulnar nerve.

CONCLUSIONS

The ulnar forearm flap is a reliably consistent source of free flap transfer because it harbors constant septocutaneous perforators and produces minimal donor site morbidities for head and neck reconstructive surgery.