REVIEW ARTICLE

Comparison of the outcomes of split thickness skin graft versus full thickness skin graft for closure of the radial forearm free flap donor site: A systematic review

Camilo Mosquera DDS

orcid.org/0000-0001-6092-3390

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA

Department of Surgery, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA

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Ashleigh Weyh MD, DMD, MPH,

Ashleigh Weyh MD, DMD, MPH

orcid.org/0000-0001-9745-1083

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

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Michael Malik MD, DDS,

Michael Malik MD, DDS

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA

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Rui Fernandes MD, DMD,

Rui Fernandes MD, DMD

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA

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Anthony Bunnell MD, DMD,

Anthony Bunnell MD, DMD

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA

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Stacey Nedrud MD, DMD,

Corresponding Author

Stacey Nedrud MD, DMD

orcid.org/0000-0002-1592-9213

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA

Private Practice, Jacksonville, FL, USA

Correspondence

Stacey Nedrud, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida Jacksonville 653 W. Eighth Street 2nd Floor, LRC Building Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA.

Email: [email protected] and [email protected]

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Camilo Mosquera DDS,

Camilo Mosquera DDS

orcid.org/0000-0001-6092-3390

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA

Department of Surgery, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA

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Ashleigh Weyh MD, DMD, MPH,

Ashleigh Weyh MD, DMD, MPH

orcid.org/0000-0001-9745-1083

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

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Michael Malik MD, DDS,

Michael Malik MD, DDS

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA

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Rui Fernandes MD, DMD,

Rui Fernandes MD, DMD

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA

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Anthony Bunnell MD, DMD,

Anthony Bunnell MD, DMD

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA

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Stacey Nedrud MD, DMD,

Corresponding Author

Stacey Nedrud MD, DMD

orcid.org/0000-0002-1592-9213

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA

Private Practice, Jacksonville, FL, USA

Correspondence

Stacey Nedrud, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida Jacksonville 653 W. Eighth Street 2nd Floor, LRC Building Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA.

Email: [email protected] and [email protected]

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First published: 22 November 2023

https://doi.org/10.1002/micr.31126

Citations: 1

[Correction added on February 02, 2024, after first online publication:The title has been revised in this version]

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Abstract

Background

Radial forearm free flap (RFFF) donor site closure is traditionally performed with split thickness skin grafts (STSG), which can be associated with poor aesthetics, wrist stiffness, paresthesia, reduced strength, and tendon exposure. Full thickness skin grafts (FTSG) are potentially beneficial as they provide a more durable coverage, and the skin graft donor site can be closed primarily, which is more aesthetic. The aim of this systematic review is to compare the outcomes of STSG versus FTSG for closure of the RFFF donor site.

Methods

A systematic review was performed, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The primary objective was to answer: do subjects undergoing RFFF harvest, utilizing FTSG to close the RFFF donor site, compared to STSG, achieve superior aesthetics at the RFFF donor site? Included papers compared FTSG and STSG with statistical data. Means were compared with t-test and proportions with Fisher's exact test.

Results

The initial search resulted in 1851 studies. After applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, the search resulted in eight studies, with 366 total skin grafts, 197 STSG and 169 FTSG. Six studies evaluated aesthetics utilizing a Likert scale, with the scaled average aesthetic score for FTSG being 7.9/10 compared to 6.9/10 for STSG (p < .001). Tendon exposure was measured in five studies, with a rate of 13.1% for STSG versus 10.6% for FTSG (p = .555). No significant difference in function was observed, however, methods to quantify function were heterogeneous.

Conclusion

FTSG compared to STSG, resulted in statistically significant improved aesthetics, with comparable rates of tendon exposure and function.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

Open Research

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Volume44, Issue1

January 2024

e31126

Comparison of the outcomes of split thickness skin graft versus full thickness skin graft for closure of the radial forearm free flap donor site: A systematic review

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

Open Research

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

Information

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Comparison of the outcomes of split thickness skin graft versus full thickness skin graft for closure of the radial forearm free flap donor site: A systematic review

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

Open Research

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

Related

Information