A novel technique for the prophylactic plating of the osteocutaneous radial forearm flap donor site - PubMed (original) (raw)

Case Reports

A novel technique for the prophylactic plating of the osteocutaneous radial forearm flap donor site

Raffy Karamanoukian et al. Ann Plast Surg. 2006 Feb.

Abstract

The osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (ORFFF) provides a suitable composite construct for reconstruction of head and neck defects. Initial acceptance of the ORFFF during the 1980s waned significantly as long-term outcome studies demonstrated a high incidence of donor-site fractures associated with harvesting a segment of the cortical radius. Biomechanical and clinical studies have demonstrated a significant improvement in the mechanical strength of ostectomized long bones after prophylactic plating. Our case report identifies a novel technique for rigid fixation using a low-contact, locking-screw plating system (LCP, Synthes USA). The system provides a fixed-angle construct using a locking-screw system that provides appropriate axial load transfer using unicortical screw fixation.

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