Factors Affecting Split Thickness Skin Graft Success Rates in Patients Who Underwent a Radial Forearm or Fibula Free Flap
Fibula free flaps (FFF) and radial forearm free flaps (RFFF) are necessary to reconstruct parts of the face after cancer surgery, traumas, or debilitating infections. Oftentimes, after we take the flap from the arm or leg, there is a large skin defect that must be filled. A split thickness skin graft (STSG) usually from the thigh can be used to fill this defect. Split thickness skin grafts get their blood supply from the underlying tissue, Hence, pressure must be applied to the skin grafts to ensure that they "stick" to the underlying tissue and are properly perfused. A bolster and cast is placed onto the skin graft to apply pressure and to immobilize the skin graft to optimize healing. However, skin grafts still often do not take well. Thus, the objective of this study is to see if the duration of the cast and bolster over the skin graft has an effect on how well it integrates into the wound bed. The study will compare 2 groups: the standard of care 5-7 day cast group versus the experiment 10-14 day cast group. The hypothesis is that people with longer cast and bolster duration will have better healing rates. Surveys will also be administered to see if cast and bolster duration will affect quality of life and self-esteem.
Conditions:
Skin Graft Complications
Study Start (Actual) 2021-01-05
Primary Completion (Estimated) 2025-11-30
Study Completion (Estimated) 2025-11-30
Enrollment (Estimated) 220
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Phase NA
Locations:
📍 Los Angeles, California, United States

Eligibility Criteria

Description

    Inclusion Criteria:

    • * Adult patients who underwent a radial forearm free flap or fibula free flap and split thickness skin graft placed over the donor site

    Exclusion Criteria:

    • * Patients who cannot make informed decisions
    • * Patients who cannot make their one month post-operative appointment.
Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years to N/A (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)
Sexes Eligible for Study: ALL
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Study Record Dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates

  • First Submitted2020-11-14
  • First Submitted that Met QC Criteria2020-11-23
  • First Posted2020-12-01

Study Record Updates

  • Last Update Submitted that Met QC Criteria2024-05-17
  • Last Update Posted2024-05-21
  • Last Verified2024-05