Radial nerve morbidity in radial artery free flaps: harvest of cephalic vein versus venae comitantes.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the present paper was to determine the radial nerve morbidity associated with harvest of different venous conduits in the radial artery free flap.

METHODS

Retrospective study comparing subjective and objective symptoms of radial nerve morbidity in 51 consecutive free flaps over a 3-year period.

RESULTS

Damage to the radial nerve occurred in 9% (1/11) of patients in the cephalic vein group versus 18% (4/28) in the venae comitante group.

CONCLUSIONS

Raising the cephalic vein for venous drainage in the radial artery free flap doubles the incidence of radial nerve morbidity.