Biomaterial Database

Recovery of sensation in the radial forearm free flap in oral reconstruction. 1996

J P Vriens, and R Acosta, and D S Soutar, and M H Webster

West of Scotland Regional Plastic and Oral Surgery Unit, Canniesburn Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland.

The purpose of this study was to find out to what extent sensory function recovers in a free radial forearm flap used for intraoral reconstruction after surgery for oral cancer. In 40 free radial forearm flaps we investigated the perception of light touch, two-point discrimination, pain, directional sensation, and temperature between 6 months and 11 years after flap transfer to the oral cavity. Four flaps (10 percent) were anesthetic, 21 flaps (52.5 percent) recovered partly, and 15 flaps (37.5 percent) had perception of all sensory modalities tested in at least two-thirds of the flap area. All patients with positive sensation in the surrounding area subsequently had good sensory recovery in the flap. This suggests that recovery of sensation in a nonreinnervated free flap is due to nerve ingrowth from the surrounding mucosa. The present results suggest that sensory function in intraoral free radial forearm flaps returns again. Further study is necessary to define the use of neurofasciocutaneous radial forearm flaps in reconstruction of the oral cavity.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D002294	Carcinoma, Squamous Cell	A carcinoma derived from stratified SQUAMOUS EPITHELIAL CELLS. It may also occur in sites where glandular or columnar epithelium is normally present. (From Stedman, 25th ed)	Carcinoma, Epidermoid,Carcinoma, Planocellular,Carcinoma, Squamous,Squamous Cell Carcinoma,Carcinomas, Epidermoid,Carcinomas, Planocellular,Carcinomas, Squamous,Carcinomas, Squamous Cell,Epidermoid Carcinoma,Epidermoid Carcinomas,Planocellular Carcinoma,Planocellular Carcinomas,Squamous Carcinoma,Squamous Carcinomas,Squamous Cell Carcinomas
D005260	Female		Females
D005542	Forearm	Part of the upper extremity in humans and primates extending from the ELBOW to the WRIST.	Antebrachium,Antebrachiums,Forearms
D006258	Head and Neck Neoplasms	Soft tissue tumors or cancer arising from the mucosal surfaces of the LIP; oral cavity; PHARYNX; LARYNX; and cervical esophagus. Other sites included are the NOSE and PARANASAL SINUSES; SALIVARY GLANDS; THYROID GLAND and PARATHYROID GLANDS; and MELANOMA and non-melanoma skin cancers of the head and neck. (from Holland et al., Cancer Medicine, 4th ed, p1651)	Cancer of Head and Neck,Head Cancer,Head Neoplasm,Head and Neck Cancer,Head and Neck Neoplasm,Neck Cancer,Neck Neoplasm,Neck Neoplasms,Neoplasms, Upper Aerodigestive Tract,UADT Neoplasm,Upper Aerodigestive Tract Neoplasm,Upper Aerodigestive Tract Neoplasms,Cancer of Head,Cancer of Neck,Cancer of the Head,Cancer of the Head and Neck,Cancer of the Neck,Head Neoplasms,Head, Neck Neoplasms,Neoplasms, Head,Neoplasms, Head and Neck,Neoplasms, Neck,UADT Neoplasms,Cancer, Head,Cancer, Neck,Cancers, Head,Cancers, Neck,Head Cancers,Neck Cancers,Neoplasm, Head,Neoplasm, Neck,Neoplasm, UADT,Neoplasms, UADT
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012677	Sensation	The process in which specialized SENSORY RECEPTOR CELLS transduce peripheral stimuli (physical or chemical) into NERVE IMPULSES which are then transmitted to the various sensory centers in the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Sensory Function,Organoleptic,Function, Sensory,Functions, Sensory,Sensations,Sensory Functions
D012907	Smoking	Willful or deliberate act of inhaling and exhaling SMOKE from burning substances or agents held by hand.	Smoking Behaviors,Smoking Habit,Behavior, Smoking,Behaviors, Smoking,Habit, Smoking,Habits, Smoking,Smoking Behavior,Smoking Habits
D013524	Surgical Flaps	Tongues of skin and subcutaneous tissue, sometimes including muscle, cut away from the underlying parts but often still attached at one end. They retain their own microvasculature which is also transferred to the new site. They are often used in plastic surgery for filling a defect in a neighboring region.	Island Flap,Island Flaps,Flap, Surgical,Flaps, Surgical,Pedicled Flap,Surgical Flap,Flap, Island,Flap, Pedicled,Flaps, Island,Flaps, Pedicled,Pedicled Flaps