IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-8-6-19523 Original Research Paper RECONSTRUCTION OF INTRA ORAL SOFT TISSUE DEFECTS USING RADIAL FOREARM MICRO VASCULAR SUB DERMAL FLAP–A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY Arasu Dr. Velavan Krishnan Dr. June 2019 8 6 01 02 ABSTRACT

BACKGROUNDː Radial forearm free flap is the most commonly used flap for reconstructing any kind of defects in the Oro–facial region. Eliminate the secondary donor site morbidity and elicit the cosmetic outcomes of donor site. METHODSː A total number of 10 patients (8 male and 2 females) age group ranging from 25–55 were prospectively subjected to the study and underwent ablative surgery. Intra oral defects in 8 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and 2 patients with oral sub–mucous fibrosis were reconstructed using RFFF.The donor site was assessed by the Patient and Observer scar Assessment Scale modified NHS scale. RESULTSː Among 10 patient who underwent reconstruction, all the 10 flaps were successful. At the donor site the scar healing was good in 8 patient and satisfactory in 2 patients by the observer scar assessment scale. 5% (α=0.05) is fixed as a level of significance. CONCLUSIONSː Functional outcome of the forearm region has shown remarkable healing during the early post operative period irrespective of intra operative injury to the paratenon layer.Despite the few setbacks in the sub–dermal radial forearm flap, the ease of harvest and the post operative outcomes clearly indicate the need for such modification in order to impart good result in the reconstructive surgery.