Multiple simultaneous free flaps for head and neck reconstruction: A multi-institutional cohort. Oral Oncol 2023 Jan;136:106269
Date
12/04/2022Pubmed ID
36462329Pubmed Central ID
PMC10559876DOI
10.1016/j.oraloncology.2022.106269Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85142852643 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 2 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe the experience of two tertiary academic centers with multiple, simultaneous free flaps for complex head and neck defect reconstruction.
METHODS: Patients undergoing multiple, simultaneous free flaps from 2017 to 2022 were retrospectively reviewed.
RESULTS: Seventy-one patients (64.8% male, median age 61 years) were identified and underwent 143 free flaps. The leading surgical indication was squamous cell carcinoma (n = 48, 67.6%). Defect sites included oral cavity, maxilla, pharynx, parotid, skull base, and scalp. The most common free flap combinations were fibula (FFF) with anterolateral thigh flap (n = 33, 46.5%), radial forearm (RFFF) with scapula (n = 11, 15.5%), and RFFF with FFF (n = 10, 14.1%). Median operative time was 12 h. Median length of hospitalization was 10 days. At last follow-up (median 6 months), 141 flaps (98.6%) survived without partial nor complete flap failure.
CONCLUSION: Multiple, simultaneous free flaps are a rare, yet reliable option for head and neck reconstruction in select patients with defects involving several tissue types, multiple functional areas, or large volumes.
Author List
Tharakan T, Marfowaa G, Akakpo K, Jackson R, Zenga J, Puram SV, Pipkorn PAuthor
Joseph Zenga MD Assistant Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
FemaleFree Tissue Flaps
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Mouth
Retrospective Studies
