[Can one harvest a long bone stick in the radial forearm flap? Original radioanatomical and NanoSPECT-CT Bioscan microvascular study]. / Peut-on prélever une grande baguette osseuse radiale dans le lambeau antébrachial radial composite ? Étude radio-anatomique et microscannographique originale.

OBJECTIVES: The composite radial forearm flap is a surgical option in the reconstruction of large traumatic or oncologic orofacial defects. Nevertheless, it has been criticized for its poor bone transport faculties that would make this flap insufficient in large osseous mandibular reconstructions, or for oral prosthetic rehabilitation with dental implants. What is more, the morbidity of the donor site has often been pointed. The aim of this radioanatomic study was to revisit the vascularization of the composite radial forearm flap, focusing on the bone stick. METHODS: A radioanatomic study was performed on seven upper limbs taken from fresh cadavers. First, the vessels were washed with a 40°C solution of potassium acetate. Then an intra-arterial injection of a mixture of lead oxide and agar-agar was performed. 3D-CT-scan examinations of the anatomical pieces were performed. In a second step, the flaps were harvested and analyzed with a Microscan examination (NanoSPECT-CT Bioscan(®), voxel 220 microns). Collateral branches of the radial artery to the bone and the skin were counted and classified. RESULTS: One radial diaphyseal artery was present in all the cases. The nutrient foramen took place at the anteromedial aspect of the diaphysis, between 45 and 65 % of the length of the bone. A dense anastomotic periosteal network was highlightened, supplied by one to four musculoperiosteal branches, and one to six fascio-periosteal arteries arising from the radial artery. A total of mean five osseous branches, and 12 cutaneous branches have been observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present preclinical study suggested that a 16-cm bone stick could be harvested with an optimal vascular safety, without consideration for the morbidity at the donor site. The original approach in this study, relating anatomy to the preclinical imaging, allowed a precise visualization of the microvascularization of the soft and hard tissues. It opened a field of innovative research in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

[Maxillofacial reconstruction with radial forearm osteofasciocutaneous free flap]. / Le lambeau ostéo-fascio-cutané antébrachial radial dans la reconstruction maxillo-faciale.

INTRODUCTION: Maxillofacial defects often affect various type of tissues and require reconstruction using composite flaps. The radial forearm osteofasciocutaneous free flap is one of the least used. We present the preliminary results of maxillofacial reconstruction using this free flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of patients having undergone a radial forearm osteofasciocutaneous flap procedure between 2009 and 2011. Mandibular defect were staged according to HCL classification. Maxillary defects were staged according to Cordeiro and Santamaria's classification. Functional results (swallowing and speech) were assessed at the sixth month. RESULTS: The mean age of the 10 patients was 60.2 years. The average length of bone defect was 8 cm. The average cutaneous defect area was 36.8 cm(2). The mandibular defect was LCL in six cases, L in one case, and C in one case. The two cases of maxillary bone loss were classified IIIa. Six of the 10 microsurgical anastomoses were contralateral to the lesion. There was no reconstruction failure. Three patients had mild speech disorders, five had moderate speech disorders, and two major speech disorders. Four patients had a normal food intake, three patients needed mixed food, and three patients liquid food. DISCUSSION: The indications of radial forearm osteofasciocutaneous free flap for complex maxillofacial reconstructions should be extended. Its vascularization is less compromised by arteritis. Its pedicle may be long and adequate for a contralateral anastomosis. It is reliable and easy to harvest. But the bone quality is not as good as fibula.