Faculty Collaboration Database

Complications of double free flap and free flap combined with locoregional flap in head and neck reconstruction: A systematic review. Head Neck 2018 Mar;40(3):632-646

Date

11/16/2017

Pubmed ID

29140575

DOI

10.1002/hed.25005

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85034241511 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   14 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this clinical review was to assess the feasibility of reconstructing complex head and neck defects with 2 or more free flaps simultaneously.

METHODS: A total of 38 articles were reviewed. The patient population included those who received 2 or more free flaps or a single free flap plus a locoregional flap. The primary outcome assessed was rate of complications.

RESULTS: Among double flaps, the minor complication rate was 6.96% and the major complication rate was 20.0%. In comparison, the free flap plus locoregional flap group had higher rates of minor and major complications of 30.4% and 29.5%, respectively. The median operating time was 660 minutes for double flaps and 602 minutes for free flap plus locoregional flap (P = .828).

CONCLUSION: Compared to the single free flap plus locoregional flap, double free flaps are relatively reliable without increasing surgical complications or decreasing flap survival, while only modestly increasing operating times.

Author List

Chen CL, Zenga J, Roland LT, Pipkorn P

Author

Joseph Zenga MD Assistant Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

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

Female
Free Tissue Flaps
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Humans
Male
Postoperative Complications
Treatment Outcome