Gracilis donor site morbidity

Donor site morbidity in 104 cases of gracilis free tissue transfer was examined through a retrospective chart review and mail survey. Fifty‐one females and 53 males with an average age of 23 years comprised the study group. Forty‐three were under age 18. In‐hospital donor site complications occurred in 10 patients. There was excessive pain in 4, wound infections in 3, hemorrhage in 2, and temporary nerve palsy in 1. Early complications were more common in the pediatric group. Sixty‐two surveys were returned from patients detailing late complications where they graded parameters between 0 and 10 where 0 was “none” and 10 was “worst imaginable.” The highest average score was 5.12 reported for noticeability of the scar. There was a significant difference between adults and children for sensitivity, tightness, noticeability, and ugliness of the scar. More than half the respondents had no complaints about their donor site scar. Fifteen percent of patients reported temporary reduction of leg strength with a mean duration of 6 months. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.