


Volume 20 No 20 (2022)
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Evaluation of OsteocutaneousRadial Forearm Free Flap in Maxillofacial Reconstruction: A Literature Review
Khaled Ibrahim Barakat , Mostafa Mahmoud ELnour , Hamed Mohamed Ahmed
Abstract
Maxillofacial reconstruction surgery has largely depend on local flaps for soft tissue reconstruction and
nonvascularized bone grafts for bony reconstruction. The paradigm shift has been to vascularized free
tissue for larger soft tissue, bone, or composite defects in the head and neck and biologic agents such as
bone morphogenic proteins (BMP), blood components such as platelet-rich plasma and fibrin, and tissue
engineering. Although osseous-free flaps are acknowledged as a superior reconstructive option, there are
a number of different flaps – iliac crest, fibula, scapula or radial forearm. Each of these has benefits and
disadvantages for the reconstruction, with success defined by flap survival, donor site morbidity, capacity
for normal speech, ethetics, oral competence and diet and successful dental rehabilitation. The
osteocutaneous radial flap is reliable, and relatively simple to harvest, which will ensure that it remains
one of the established reconstructive options in most maxillofacial units.The introduction of prophylactic
internal fixation augments the role of the osteocutaneous radial flap for repair of defects that require a
relatively small volume of bone and an appreciable area of thin soft tissue, specially when a long vascular
pedicle is desirable. This includes low level defects of the maxilla, some defects of the mandible, and niche
reconstructions, such as the orbital rim. The focus of this review are different surgical techniques,
indications and outcomes of osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap in Maxillofacial reconstruction.
Keywords
Maxillofacial reconstruction surgery, osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap.
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