Faculty Collaboration Database

Application of the Spider Limb Positioner to Subscapular System Free Flaps. Laryngoscope 2021 Mar;131(3):525-528

Date

08/25/2020

Pubmed ID

32833233

DOI

10.1002/lary.29031

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85089735122 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   9 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the application and surgical time savings of the Spider Limb Positioner for subscapular system free flaps in head and neck reconstructive surgery.

METHODS: Single institution retrospective chart review and analysis of patients between 2011 and 2019 that underwent a subscapular system free flap either with or without use of the Spider Limb Positioner. One hundred five patients in total were reviewed with 53 patients in the Spider group. The surgical times were compared between the two groups. Patient-specific information regarding average age, laterality of donor site, recipient site, gender, and flap type were reviewed.

RESULTS: Forty-one patients in both groups underwent a latissimus free flap. Twelve of 53 in the Spider group and 11/52 in the control group underwent a scapula free flap. The average age in the Spider group at the time of surgery was 64 years. The recipient sites for the Spider groups were reviewed. The free flap was ipsilateral to the defect in 81% of cases. The mean surgical time for the 105 patients without the Spider was 568 minutes versus 486 minutes with a Spider P-value of .003478.

CONCLUSION: Use of the Spider Limb Positioner allows for a simultaneous two-team approach during free flap elevation of the subscapular system, which eliminates both dependence on an assistant to support the arm and time consuming positioning changes during flap elevation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 131:525-528, 2021.

Author List

Bender-Heine A, Young G, Moy J, Weedman S, Wax MK

Author

Jennifer D. Bruening MD Assistant Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Aged
Female
Free Tissue Flaps
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Positioning
Retrospective Studies
Scapula
Superficial Back Muscles
Treatment Outcome