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

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.