ABSTRACT
A basic disadvantage of the radial forearm flap is the removal of skin from a functionally
important and cosmetically exposed region. The donor site is conventionally repaired
by skin grafting. However, this method is associated with complications of graft take
and a poor aesthetic appearance. In this report, the authors describe a simple technique
for direct closure of a distal forearm flap donor defect, using double-opposing rhomboid
transposition flaps. This method is based on the existence of an oblique skin laxity
in the distal forearm from the ulnar to the radial side, allowing a double-opposing
local flap design. In a 32-year-old female patient, a 6- × 4-cm longitudinally-oriented
elliptical skin defect of a radial forearm free flap was succesfully closed directly
with the described technique without any complications. This method is a useful alternative
for primary closure of small- to medium-sized distal forearm defects.
KEYWORD
Radial forearm flap - donor site - technique for successful closure
