[Donor site defect after removal of free and pedicled forearm flaps: functional and cosmetic results].

The donor-site defect poses a special problem in free and pedicled forearm flaps. A multi-center-study of seven departments for Hand and Plastic Surgery in Germany and Switzerland studied the problem and showed the functional and cosmetic results. 342 questionnaires were checked. 267 patients came for a follow-up examination. 83.9% of them were satisfied with the result of the operation. Restrictions of movement in the wrist, forearm, and elbow appeared to be very rare. Half of the patients considered the donor-site defect to be ugly. Nearly the same number objected to preoperative information about the appearance of the donor-site defect. Based on the results of this study, we can still recommend the radial forearm flap for small and medium size soft-tissue defects, delicate technique of closure of the donor site defect provided.