Head and Neck Cancer
Conditions
Brief summary
Reconstruction of the donor site after radial forearm flap harvesting is a common procedure in maxillofacial plastic surgery. Unfortunately, free skin graft transplantation faces wound healing impairments such as necrosis, (partial) graft loss, or tendon exposure. Several studies have investigated methods to reduce these impairments and demonstrated improvements if the wound bed is optimized. However, these methods are device-dependent, expansive, and time-consuming. Therefore, the application of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) to the wound bed could be a simple, cost effective, and device-independent method to optimize wound-bed conditions instead. In this study, PRF membranes were applied between the wound bed and skin graft.
Detailed description
Reconstruction of the donor site after radial forearm flap harvesting is a common procedure in maxillofacial plastic surgery. It is normally carried out with split-thickness or full-thickness free skin grafts. Unfortunately, free skin graft transplantation faces wound healing impairments such as necrosis, (partial) graft loss, or tendon exposure. Several studies have investigated methods to reduce these impairments and demonstrated improvements if the wound bed is optimized, for example through negative pressure wound therapy or vacuum-assisted closure. However, these methods are device-dependent, expansive, and time-consuming. Therefore, the application of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) to the wound bed could be a simple, cost effective, and device-independent method to optimize wound-bed conditions instead. In this study, PRF membranes were applied between the wound bed and skin graft. Growth factor release could stimulate fibroblast migration, wound healing and angiogenesis. Further more PRF act as a lubricant layer to protect skin graft from tendon motion. This could improve graft in-growth.
Interventions
PROCEDUREPlatelet-rich fibrin (PRF)
PRF was only applied in the experimental arm to improve wound bed conditions
Sponsors
Wuerzburg University Hospital
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* \>18 years, donor site on the forearm after radial forearm flap surgery, free skin graft reconstruction of this skin defect, informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* \<18 years, inclusion criteria were not met
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage rate | 10-14 days | The coverage rate was measured 10-14 days after surgery with a photo analysis |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluation Score (ES) | 10-14 days | ES included surgical complications (infection, graft loss..) and was obtained 10-14 days after surgery. Minimum value: 0, maximum value 6. A higher score indicates a worse surgical outcome. |
Countries
Germany
Outcome results
None listed