Comparison of Video and In-person Free Flap Assessment following Head and Neck Free Tissue Transfer

2017 ◽  
Vol 156 (6) ◽  
pp. 1035-1040 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Sean Alemi ◽  
Rahul Seth ◽  
Chase Heaton ◽  
Steven J. Wang ◽  
P. Daniel Knott
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Free Tissue Transfer ◽  
Data Streaming ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Tissue Transfer ◽  
Streaming Technology

Objective Compare the efficiency of remote telehealth flap assessments with traditional in-person flap assessments. Study Design Observational study with retrospective review. Setting Tertiary academic medical center. Subjects and Methods All patients undergoing head and neck free tissue transfer were included in the study. All patients whose surgery was performed at hospital A underwent an in-person flap check overnight. Those at hospital B received a remote flap assessment. The primary outcome was total time spent performing the midnight flap assessment, including travel time. Data were gathered prospectively using an online survey. Results Sixty consecutive patients met inclusion criteria. On the night of the surgery, 31 had an in-person flap check while 29 had a video telehealth flap check. There were no partial or total flap losses or take-backs resulting from the flap checks. Mean (SD) times for in-person and remote assessments were 34 (16) minutes (range, 10-60 minutes) and 13 (8) minutes (range, 5-35 minutes), respectively ( P < .001). House staff unanimously felt the remote telehealth system improved their quality of life without affecting their perception of the quality of the flap assessment ( P = .001). Conclusion Compared with in-person flap assessments in this cohort, telehealth assessments allowed more efficient examination of free tissue reconstructions while yielding seemingly equivalent information. Therefore, remote telehealth flap checks may provide useful information supporting the use of high-fidelity remote data-streaming technology in the delivery of complex care to patients distant from their care provider.

scholarly journals Head and Neck Tumor Resection and Free Flap Reconstruction in Low-Volume Center

2020 ◽  
pp. 014556132092383
Author(s):  
Malia Brennan ◽  
Shelley Wong ◽  
Paul D. Faringer ◽  
Jae H. Lim
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Free Flap ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Free Tissue Transfer ◽  
Head And Neck Tumor ◽  
Flap Surgery ◽  
Tissue Transfer ◽  
Low Volume

Objective: To determine the surgical outcomes of free tissue transfer surgery following head and neck tumor extirpation in a low-volume medical center. Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent free tissue transfer surgery for head and neck cancer at Moanalua Medical Center from 2015 to 2018. Main Outcome of Measure: Free flap failure rate and free flap-related complications. Results: From 2015 to 2018, there were 27 free tissue transfer surgery (mean 6.75 flap surgery/year). There were 2 events of partial flap necrosis, and no cases of total flap loss. One patient required leech therapy for venous congestion. One patient required additional free flap surgery. Two patients developed orocutaneous fistula that resolved with local wound care. One patient developed malocclusion following mandible reconstruction using fibular free flap. Overall free flap success rate was 96%. Conclusion: This study supports the ability of small-volume centers to produce positive outcomes with few complications in head and neck cancer free flap reconstructive surgery. While the data are limited to a single surgical team in one care center, it provides additional support for the idea that there are factors beyond the surgical volume that determine outcome.

Assessment of Function after Free Tissue Transfer to the Lower Extremity for Chronic Wounds Using the Lower Extremity Functional Scale

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (05) ◽  
pp. 327-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reuben Falola ◽  
Chrisovalantis Lakhiani ◽  
Jocelyn Green ◽  
Siya Patil ◽  
Brandon Jackson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Chronic Wounds ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Free Tissue Transfer ◽  
Functional Improvement ◽  
Tissue Transfer ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Community Ambulation

Background Free tissue transfer is one option for preservation of form and function in the native limb, in the setting of soft tissue paucity. However, the data on patient functionality after microvascular intervention is inconsistently reported. The Lower Extremity Function Scale (LEFS) measures patient-reported difficulty in carrying out 20 physical activities, on a Likert scale, the sum of which correlates with descriptive functional stages of 1–5. We assess limb functionality in this cohort of microvascular patients using the LEFS survey. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted at a single academic medical center of 101 consecutive free flaps, from 2011 to 2016. Of the flaps that met inclusion criteria, 39 had completed LEFS surveys. Mean LEFS scores were calculated, and the effects of risk factors such as diabetes, age, and smoking status were analyzed. Results The mean LEFS score after free tissue transfer was 50.3 (SD ± 21.1), with a mean follow up survey time of 3.0 years (SD ± 1.3). The score correlated with Stage 4 function, or "independent community ambulation,” and age was the only demographic factor associated with decreased functionality in this group. This is compared with mean LEFS score of 43.1 (SD ± 18.4) in cohort of 55 below knee amputations (BKAs), and 38.3 (SD ± 14.9) in 28 above knee amputations (AKAs), both correlating with Stage 3 function: “limited community ambulation.” Conclusions Functional outcomes scores such as the LEFS demonstrate that patients can obtain an adequate level of functionality for independent community activity after free tissue transfer, although functional improvement diminishes with age.

scholarly journals Long-term results of microvascular free-tissue transfer reanimation of the paralyzed face: Three cases

2008 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 226-233
Author(s):  
John P. Leonetti ◽  
Chad A. Zender ◽  
Daryl Vandevender ◽  
Sam J. Marzo
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Free Tissue Transfer ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Facial Movement ◽  
Tissue Transfer ◽  
Facial Reanimation

We conducted a retrospective case review at our tertiary care academic medical center to assess the long-term results of microvascular free-tissue transfer to achieve facial reanimation in 3 patients. These patients had undergone wide-field parotidectomy with facial nerve resection. Upper facial reanimation was accomplished with a proximal facial nerve–sural nerve graft, and lower facial movement was achieved through proximal facial nerve–long thoracic (serratus muscle) nerve anastomosis. Outcomes were determined by grading postoperative facial nerve function according to the House-Brackmann system. All 3 patients were able to close their eyes independent of lower facial movement, and all 3 had achieved House-Brackmann grade III function. We conclude that reanimating the paralyzed face with microvascular free-tissue transfer provides anatomic coverage and mimetic function after wide-field parotidectomy. Synkinesis is reduced by separating upper-and lower-division reanimation.

scholarly journals Mechanical Anastomotic Coupling Device versus Hand-sewn Venous Anastomosis in Head and Neck Reconstruction—An Analysis of 1694 Venous Anastomoses

2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (02) ◽  
pp. 118-123
Author(s):  
Rajan Arora ◽  
Kripa Shanker Mishra ◽  
Hemant T. Bhoye ◽  
Ajay Kumar Dewan ◽  
Ravi K. Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Free Tissue Transfer ◽  
Effective Alternative ◽  
Head And Neck Reconstruction ◽  
Venous Anastomosis ◽  
Neck Reconstruction ◽  
Coupling Device ◽  
Tissue Transfer ◽  
Flap Loss

Abstract Background There is a steep learning curve to attain a consistently good result in microvascular surgery. The venous anastomosis is a critical step in free-tissue transfer. The margin of error is less and the outcome depends on the surgeon’s skill and technique. Mechanical anastomotic coupling device (MACD) has been proven to be an effective alternative to hand-sewn (HS) technique for venous anastomosis, as it requires lesser skill. However, its feasibility of application in emerging economy countries is yet to be established. Material and Method We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients who underwent free-tissue transfer for head and neck reconstruction between July 2015 and October 2020. Based on the technique used for the venous anastomosis, the patients were divided into an HS technique and MACD group. Patient characteristics and outcomes were measured. Result A total of 1694 venous anastomoses were performed during the study period. There were 966 patients in the HS technique group and 719 in the MACD group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, sex, prior radiotherapy, prior surgery, and comorbidities. Venous thrombosis was noted in 62 (6.4%) patients in the HS technique group and 7 (0.97%) in the MACD group (p = 0.000). The mean time taken for venous anastomosis in the HS group was 17 ± 4 minutes, and in the MACD group, it was 5 ± 2 minutes (p = 0.0001). Twenty-five (2.56%) patients in the HS group and 4 (0.55%) patients in MACD group had flap loss (p = 0.001). Conclusion MACD is an effective alternative for HS technique for venous anastomosis. There is a significant reduction in anastomosis time, flap loss, and return to operation theater due to venous thrombosis. MACD reduces the surgeon’s strain, especially in a high-volume center. Prospective randomized studies including economic analysis are required to prove the cost-effectiveness of coupler devices.

American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery/Foundation Reg-ent Registry: Purpose, Properties, and Priorities

2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982098413
Author(s):  
Cecelia E. Schmalbach ◽  
Jean Brereton ◽  
Cathlin Bowman ◽  
James C. Denneny
Keyword(s):  
American Academy ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Neck Surgery ◽  
Performance Measure ◽  
Head And Neck Surgery ◽  
Evidence Based

Objective (1) To describe the patient and membership cohort captured by the otolaryngology-based specialty-specific Reg-ent registry. (2) To outline the capabilities of the Reg-ent registry, including the process by which members can access evidence-based data to address knowledge gaps identified by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery/Foundation and ultimately define “quality” for our field of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery. Methods Data analytics was performed on Reg-ent (2015-2020) Results A total of 1629 participants from 239 practices were enrolled in Reg-ent, and 42 health care specialties were represented. Reg-ent encompassed 6,496,477 unique patients and 24,296,713 encounters/visits: the 45- to 64-year age group had the highest representation (n = 1,597,618, 28.1%); 3,867,835 (60.3%) patients identified as Caucasian; and “private” was the most common insurance (33%), followed by Blue Cross/Blue Shield (22%). Allergic rhinitis–unspecified and sensorineural hearing loss–bilateral were the top 2 diagnoses (9% each). Overall, 302 research gaps were identified from 17 clinical practice guidelines. Discussion Reg-ent benefits are vast—from monitoring one’s practice to defining otolaryngology–head and neck surgery quality, participating in advocacy, and conducting research. Reg-ent provides mechanisms for benchmarking, quality assessment, and performance measure development, with the objective of defining and guiding best practice in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery. To be successful, patient diversity must be achieved to include ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Increasing academic medical center membership will assist in achieving diversity so that the quality domain of equitable care is achieved. Implications for Practice Reg-ent provides the first ever registry that is specific to otolaryngology–head and neck surgery and compliant with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) to collect patient outcomes and define evidence-based quality care.

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