The Use of Dermal Substitutes for Donor Site Closure After Radial Forearm Free Flap Harvesting.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to analyze the aesthetic and functional outcome in the radial forearm free flap donor site using a simple split thickness skin grafting (STSG) closure compared with the use of dermal scaffold supporting the STSG closure.

METHODS

The study analyzed 18 patients, divided in 2 groups based on the donor site closure modality. In STSG group, a simple STSG was used to cover the defect. In the DS + STSG group, the defect was covered by the use of dermal substitute (MatriDerm) supporting the STSG. Groups were compared on the following outcome variable: scar status; hand function; circumferences at most proximal and most distal point of the graft. All patients were followed up 1, 6, and 12 months post-operative.

RESULTS

Nine patients from STSG group showed a difference in circumference between the operated and contralateral limbs respectively of 2.9 mm proximal and 1.2 mm distal; in the 9 patients of DS + STGS group the difference was respectively of 1.2 mm proximal and 1.3 mm distal. Welch unequal variances t-test demonstrated statistical significance of the values with P < 0.004 (P < 0.5). The average VSS was 1.82 ± 0.2 for STSG group and 1.75 ± 0.2 for DS + STGS group. The DASH score was 21.8% in STSG group and 19.4% in DS + STGS group.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that patients treated with Matriderm + STSG obtained a better result both in esthetic and functional outcomes.