Sensory Recovery in Noninnervated Radial Forearm Free Flaps in Oral and Oropharyngeal Reconstruction

Abstract

Complete sensory recovery was uncommon, unpredictable, and variable, although some recovery of sensation occurred in 80% of patients. It is not valid to rely on spontaneous sensory recovery for sensory innervation of free flaps. Correlation of sensory return with function is still needed.