scholarly journals Alternatives to free flap surgery for maxillofacial reconstruction: focus on the submental island flap and the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. K. Meier ◽  
S. Spoerl ◽  
G. Spanier ◽  
M. Wunschel ◽  
M. J. Gottsauner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Free Flap ◽  
Myocutaneous Flap ◽  
Neck Surgery ◽  
Island Flap ◽  
Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap ◽  
Flap Surgery ◽  
Free Flap Surgery ◽  
Submental Island Flap

Abstract Background Microvascular tissue transfer (MTT) has been established as the gold standard in oral- and maxillofacial reconstruction. However, free flap surgery may be critical in multimorbid elderly patients and after surgery or radiotherapy, which aggravate microsurgery. This study evaluates indications and outcome of the submental island flap (SMIF) and the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) as alternatives to the free radial forearm flap (RFF). Methods This retrospective study included 134 patients who had undergone resection and reconstruction with SMIF, PMMF, or RFF at our department between 2005 and 2020. The level of comorbidity was measured with the Age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI). Primary outcome variables were flap success, complications, wound dehiscence, surgery duration, as well as time at the ICU and the ward (hospitalization). Chi-square tests, t-tests, and ANOVA were performed for statistics. Results 24 SMIFs, 52 RFFs, and 58 PMMFs were included in this study. The flap types did not significantly differ in terms of flap success, complications, and healing disorders. The SMIF presented a success rate of 95.8% and was significantly more often used in elderly patients (mean age = 70.2 years; p < 0.001) with increased comorbidities than the PMMF (p < 0.01) and RFF (p < 0.001). SMIF reconstruction reduced surgery duration (p < 0.001) and time at the ICU (p = 0.009) and the ward (p < 0.001) more than PMMF and RFF reconstructions. PMMF reconstruction was successful in 91.4% of patients and was more frequently used after head and neck surgery (p < 0.001) and radiotherapy (p < 0.001) than SMIF and RFF reconstructions. Patients undergoing PMMF reconstruction more frequently required segmental jaw resection and had presented with advanced tumor stages (both p < 0.001). Nicotine and alcohol abuse was more frequent in the RFF and PMMF groups (both p < 0.001) than in the SMIF group. Conclusions The pedicled SMIF represents a valuable reconstructive option for elderly patients with increased comorbidity because of the shorter duration of surgery and hospitalization. On the other hand, the PMMF serves as a solid backup solution after head and neck surgery or radiotherapy. The rates of flap success, complications, and healing disorders of both pedicled flaps are comparable to those of free flap reconstruction.

scholarly journals Enhanced Morbidity of Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap Used for Salvage after Previously Failed Oncological Treatment and Unsuccessful Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiana Maria Ribeiro Salles Vanni ◽  
Leandro Luongo de Matos ◽  
Mário Paulo Faro Junior ◽  
Jossi Ledo Kanda ◽  
Cláudio Roberto Cernea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Myocutaneous Flap ◽  
Neck Surgery ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Pectoralis Major ◽  
Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Oncological Treatment ◽  
Major Complications

Introduction. The reconstruction of complex cervicofacial defects arising from surgical treatment for cancer is a real challenge for head and neck surgeons, especially in salvage reconstruction surgery and/or failed previous reconstruction. The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) has been widely used in these specific situations due to its reliability and low rate of failure or complications.Objectives. Identify factors that determine complications and influence the final outcome of the reconstructions with PMMF in salvage cancer surgery or in salvage reconstruction.Methods. A cross-sectional study design was used to evaluate a sample including 17 surgical patients treated over a period of ten years that met the inclusion criteria.Results. Reconstruction was successful in 13 cases (76.5%), with two cases of partial flap loss and no case of total loss. Complications occurred in 13 cases (76.5%) and were specifically related to the flap in nine instances (52.9%). An association was identified between the development of major complications and reconstruction of the hypopharynx () as well as in patients submitted to surgery in association with radiation therapy as a previous cancer treatment (). The former condition is also associated with major reconstruction failure (). An even lower incidence of major complications was noted in patients under the age of 53 ().Conclusion. Older patients, with hypopharyngeal defects and submitted to previous surgery plus radiation therapy, presented a higher risk of complications and reconstruction failure with PMMF.

Designing a Masterclass in free flap surgery for head and neck surgeons: Our experience

Microsurgery ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 929-929
Author(s):  
Karim Tewfik ◽  
Alfonso Manfuso ◽  
Lazzaro Cassano ◽  
Nicola Pederneschi ◽  
Chiara Copelli
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck ◽  
Free Flap ◽  
Flap Surgery ◽  
Free Flap Surgery

Optimizing value in head and neck cancer free flap surgery

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 413-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harrison Cash ◽  
Marianne Abouyared ◽  
Jeffrey J. Houlton
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Free Flap ◽  
Flap Surgery ◽  
Free Flap Surgery

Impact of Body Mass Index on Operative Outcomes in Head and Neck Free Flap Surgery

2018 ◽  
Vol 159 (5) ◽  
pp. 817-823 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan M. Crippen ◽  
Jacob S. Brady ◽  
Alexander M. Mozeika ◽  
Jean Anderson Eloy ◽  
Soly Baredes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Postoperative Complications ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Free Flap ◽  
Flap Reconstruction ◽  
Free Flap Reconstruction ◽  
Flap Surgery ◽  
Free Flap Surgery ◽  
Increased Risk

Objective Analyze the risk for perioperative complications associated with body mass index (BMI) class in patients undergoing head and neck free flap reconstruction. Study Design and Setting Retrospective cohort study. Subjects and Methods The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was queried for all cases of head and neck free flaps between 2005 and 2014 (N = 2187). This population was stratified into underweight, normal-weight, overweight, and obese BMI cohorts. Groups were compared for demographics, comorbidities, and procedure-related variables. Rates of postoperative complications were compared between groups using χ2 and binary logistic regression analyses. Results Underweight patients (n = 160) had significantly higher rates of numerous comorbidities, including disseminated cancer, preoperative chemotherapy, and anemia, while obese patients (n = 447) had higher rates of diabetes and hypertension. Rates of overall surgical complications, medical complications, and flap loss were insignificantly different between BMI groups. Following regression, obese BMI was protective for perioperative transfusion requirement (odds ratio [OR] = 0.63, P = .001), while underweight status conferred increased risk (OR = 2.43, P < .001). Recent weight loss was found to be an independent predictor of perioperative cardiac arrest (OR = 3.16, P = .006) while underweight BMI was not (OR = 1.21, P = .763). However, both weight loss and underweight status were associated with significantly increased risk for 30-day mortality (OR = 4.48, P = .032; OR = 4.02, P = .010, respectively). Conclusion Obesity does not increase the risk for postoperative complications in head and neck free flap surgery and may be protective in some cases. When assessing a patient’s fitness for surgery, underweight status or recent weight loss may suggest a reduced ability to tolerate extensive free flap reconstruction.

Does Postoperative Anticoagulation Therapy Lead to a Higher Success Rate for Microvascular Free-Tissue Transfer in the Head and Neck? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (02) ◽  
pp. 087-094 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinglong Liu ◽  
Quan Shi ◽  
Shuo Yang ◽  
Bo Liu ◽  
Bin Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck ◽  
Free Flap ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Head And Neck Reconstruction ◽  
Thromboembolic Events ◽  
Flap Surgery ◽  
Neck Reconstruction ◽  
Flap Loss ◽  
Free Flap Surgery

Background Due to limited evidence, it is unclear whether postoperative anticoagulation therapy may lead to higher success rates for microvascular free-flap surgery in the head and neck. This review evaluated whether postoperative anticoagulation therapy can lead to a better result in head and neck reconstruction. Methods PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were used to search for articles on the efficacy of postoperative antithrombotic therapy in free-flap transfer during head and neck reconstruction without language restrictions in February of 2017. A random-effects model was used to estimate the relative risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The measured outcomes were flap loss, thromboembolic events, and hematoma formation. Results A total of 2,048 free-flap surgery procedures in the head and neck were analyzed. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of flap loss and thromboembolic events in the anticoagulation group compared with the nonanticoagulation group (RR = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.85–1.81, p = 0.26; and RR = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.74–1.48, p = 0.79, respectively). The risk of hematoma was twice as high in the anticoagulation group than the nonanticoagulation group, which was statistically significant (RR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.08–3.76, p = 0.03). Conclusion The findings from our meta-analysis indicate that postoperative anticoagulation therapy barely decreases the risks of flap loss and thromboembolic events in free-flap surgery in the head and neck. However, it may significantly increase the risk of hematoma formation. Considering the limitations of this meta-analysis, additional high-quality, multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm these findings.

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