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Review
. 2022 Dec 19;37(1):26-30.
doi: 10.1055/s-0042-1759795. eCollection 2023 Feb.

Free Flap Donor-Site Complications and Management

Hunter Archibald  1 , Joel Stanek  2   3 , David Hamlar  1   3
Affiliations
Review

Free Flap Donor-Site Complications and Management

Hunter Archibald et al. Semin Plast Surg. .

Abstract

Free flap harvest will occasionally result in donor-site complications and morbidity. Most of these complications are managed simply without producing lingering effects on activities of daily living. However, some patients will sustain limb weakness, gait issues, chronic pain, and nonhealing wounds. Frank preoperative discussion between surgeon and patient is essential to maximize postoperative outcome and manage expectations. Fastidious surgical technique will help minimize the risks of hematoma, seroma, and infection, while newer techniques can help prevent some issues with wound healing, limb weakness, and sensory changes. In this article, we describe the rates of common and rare complications at free flap donor sites, as well as techniques to prevent and manage them.

Keywords: free tissue flaps; morbidity; reconstructive surgical procedures.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest None declared.

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