This study evaluates donor site outcomes in patients receiving radial forearm free flap reconstruction versus ulnar forearm free flap reconstruction. Patients who meet criteria for forearm free flap reconstruction are randomized to receiving either radial forearm free flap or ulnar forearm free flap reconstruction.
The radial forearm free flap and the ulnar forearm free flap are both well-described procedures used for free tissue transfer in reconstructive surgery. Although forearm free flaps are frequently performed, there is insufficient prospective data looking at the morbidity of the radial compared to ulnar forearm free flaps. The goal of this research study is to characterize the outcomes for each of these two flaps, and to determine if there is surgical equipoise, or if one flap is better than the other.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
24
Subjects in this arm will undergo a radial forearm free flap.
Subjects in this arm will undergo an ulnar forearm free flap.
Eskenazi Hospital
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Average Grip Strength (lbs) in the operative hand and non-operative hand
Subjects' grip strength in their operative hand and non-operative hand, each measured as the maximum amount of force applied by the hand to a Jamar Dynometer in pounds.
Time frame: up to 6 months
Average Key Pinch Strength (lbs) in the operative hand and non-operative hand
Subjects' pinch strength in their operative hand and non-operative hand, each measured as the maximum amount of force applied with key pinch in pounds.
Time frame: up to 6 months
Average Physician and Patient Rating of Scar Appearance
Subject's and physician's reported assessment of scar appearance on a Likert scale up to 10.
Time frame: up to 6 months
Aggregated Brief Michigan Hand Questionnaire results (composite score)
Subjects' reported outcomes of hand function, as measured by the brief Michigan Hand Questionnaire survey results, on a scale up to 100.
Time frame: up to 6 months
Average Static Two Point Discrimination (mm)
Subjects' static two point discrimination threshold in their finger pads, palm, and dorsum of the hand, in the operative and non-operative extremity, each measured in millimeters.
Time frame: up to 6 months
Number of patients with complete flap loss
Number of patients with complete flap loss as assessed by chart review.
Time frame: up to 6 months
Number of patients with partial flap loss
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Number of patients with partial flap loss as assessed by chart review.
Time frame: up to 6 months
Number of patients reporting cold intolerance
Number of patients reporting cold intolerance in the operative and non-operative extremity as assessed by patient's response to questioning them about feeling cold intolerance.
Time frame: up to 6 months
Number of patients reporting neuropathy
Number of patients reporting cold intolerance as assessed by patient's response to questioning them about feeling neuropathy
Time frame: up to 6 months
Number of patients with postoperative hematoma at donor site
Number of patients with postoperative hematoma at donor site, as assessed by chart review.
Time frame: up to 6 months
Number of patients with postoperative cellulitis at donor site
Number of patients with postoperative cellulitis at donor site as assessed by chart review.
Time frame: up to 6 months
Number of patients with postoperative hematoma at recipient site
Number of patient with postoperative hematoma at recipient site, as assessed by chart review
Time frame: up to 6 months
Number of patient with postoperative infection at recipient site
Number of patient with postoperative infection at recipient site, as assessed by chart review.
Time frame: up to 6 months
Number of patients experiencing mortality
Number of patients experiencing mortality, as assessed by chart review.
Time frame: up to 6 months
Number of patients with donor site dehiscence
Number of patients with donor site dehiscence, as assessed by chart review
Time frame: up to 6 months
Number of patients with partial skin graft non-take
Number of patients with partial skin graft non-take, as assessed by chart review
Time frame: up to 6 months
Number of patients with complete skin graft non-take
Number of patients with complete skin graft non-take, as assessed by chart review
Time frame: up to 6 months