scholarly journals Factors increasing the risk of flap complications following pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstruction for head and neck cancers

Author(s):  
Subbiah Shanmugam ◽  
Syed Afroze Hussain ◽  
Rajiv Michael

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Oral cavity cancer is one of the most common cancers and a leading cause of cancer death in India. Pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps (PMMC) are still widely used for reconstruction of defects in the head and neck, though microvascular free flaps are the ‘gold standard’. This study was aimed to identify the risk factors involved in increasing the post-operative PMMC flap complications.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Patients who underwent surgical resection of primary head and neck cancer with PMMC flap reconstruction were included and their demographic data, pre-operative laboratory values, surgery details and post-operative flap morbidity were collected retrospectively from the master case sheets from January 2013 to December 2019. Factors such as age, gender, stage of disease, pre-operative anemia, hypoprotenemia and radiation therapy, presence of diabetes and size of the flaps were analysed to find their relation in causing flap complications.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Totally 285 patients were included for analysis and 9.82% (n=28) had major flap complications. On analysis we found that pre-operative hypoproteinemia (serum albumin &lt;3.5) (p=0.001) and prior radiation therapy (p=0.02) significantly increased the risk of flap complications. Similarly, patients with larger bipaddled flaps had higher flap complication rates (p=0.0002) and previous radiation treatment further increased the major complication rates in bipaddle flaps.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> PMMC flaps are still a viable option for head and neck reconstruction especially in patients with multiple comorbidities and where free microvascular flaps are not done routinely. Careful patient selection, pre-operative optimisation and good post-operative care will help to reduce flap complications.</p><p> </p>

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (04) ◽  
pp. 287-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohini Kadle ◽  
Catherine Motosko ◽  
George Zakhem ◽  
John Stranix ◽  
Timothy Rapp ◽  
...  

Background Limb-sparing treatment of extremity soft tissue sarcomas requires wide resections and radiation therapy. The resulting complex composite defects necessitate reconstructions using either muscle or fasciocutaneous flaps, often in irradiated wound beds. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed of all limb-sparing soft tissue sarcoma resections requiring immediate flap reconstruction from 2012 through 2016. Results Forty-four patients with 51 flaps were identified: 25 fasciocutaneous and 26 muscle-based flaps. Mean defect size, radiation treatment, and follow-up length were similar between groups. More often, muscle-based flaps were performed in younger patients and in the lower extremity. Seventeen flaps were exposed to neoadjuvant radiation, 12 to adjuvant radiation, 5 to both, and 17 to no radiation therapy. Regardless of radiation treatment, complication rates were comparable, with 28% in fasciocutaneous and 31% in muscle-based groups (p < 0.775). Muscle-based flaps performed within 6 weeks of undergoing radiotherapy were less likely to result in complications than those performed after greater than 6 weeks (p < 0.048). At time of follow-up, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scores for fasciocutaneous and muscle-based reconstructions, with or without radiation, showed no significant differences between groups (mean [SD]: 91% [8%] vs. 89% [13%]). Conclusion The similar complication rates and functional outcomes in this study support the safety and efficacy of both fasciocutaneous flaps and muscle-based flaps in reconstructing limb-sparing sarcoma resection defects, with or without radiotherapy.


2008 ◽  
Vol 139 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. P125-P126
Author(s):  
Barrie Yau-Boon Tan ◽  
Mark Khoo

Objectives To study the use, complication rate, and efficacy of pedicled local regional flaps for head and neck reconstruction, and to compare these results with those of microvascular free flap reconstruction. Methods Retrospective analysis of all head and neck oncologic resections requiring flap reconstruction in a tertiary head and neck surgery centre over a 6-year period from 2001–2007. Results In total, 77 operations with flap reconstruction were performed. 44 resections employed pedicled locoregional flaps, comprising 33 pectoralis major, 3 trapezius, 3 cervical rotation, 1 deltopectoral, 1 temporalis muscle, 2 nasolabial, 1 cheek rotation, and 2 bilobed rotation flaps. 2 patients had a combination of 2 regional flaps. There was 1 flap failure. Minor complications occurred in 25% of patients comprising wound seromas (3), wound dehiscence (6), fibrotic band formation (1) and pharyngocutaneous fistula (1). 33 resections employed free flap microvascular reconstructions, comprising 22 free radial forearm, 7 free rectus abdominis, 1 free jejunal, 1 free fibular, and 2 anterolateral thigh flaps. There was 1 flap failure. Minor complications occurred in 33% of patients, comprising donor site wound dehiscence (4), recipient site wound dehiscence or seroma (4), plate extrusion (1), abscess and wound breakdown (2). Conclusions Despite the ready access to free flap reconstruction today, pedicled flaps, especially the pectoralis major flap, remain a major workhorse in head and neck reconstruction. They are hardy, reliable, cost-effective, and can be done in a short operative time. Moreover, for several regions, the functional outcome is no worse than free flap reconstruction.


2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (02) ◽  
pp. 310-316
Author(s):  
FIRDOUS KHAN ◽  
SYED ASIF SHAH ◽  
HIFSA HAMEED ◽  
Naji ullah Khan

Background: The pectoralis major myocutaneous pedicle flap (PMMPF) has been considered to be the "workhorse" of pedicled flaps in head and neck reconstruction. Despite the use of free flaps, this flap is still considered the mainstay of head and neck reconstruction. The flap is usually associated with a high incidence of complications compared with the free fasciocutaneous flaps yet its size, viability, and versatility make it a valuable tool for extending the limits of resectability and reconstruction. It is type V muscle flap with the dominant vascular supply from the pectoral branch of thoracoacromial artery. Objective: To share our experience of pectoralis major myocutaneous pedicle flap in selected cases of head and neck reconstruction. The indications, type of reconstruction and complications of the flap utilization were evaluated. Patients and Methods: Between March 2005 and August 2010, a 37 head and neck reconstructive procedures using the PMMPF were carried out. The indications for the flap use were defects due to resection of stage II-IV cancer in the head and neck region. The site, stage of the disease and the postoperative complications were all documented. Results: Pectoralis major myocutaneous pedicled flap reconstructions were used to reconstruct defects in the following sites: oral cavity (25 patients); oropharynx/ hypopharynx, (7 patients); and neck or face (5 patients). Of the 37 PMMPF reconstructions, 30 flaps were carried out as primary reconstructive procedures, whereas 7 flaps were "salvage" procedures. Twentyfive patients (67.59%) had complications. A higher complication rates were associated with the utilization of the flap as a salvage procedure, number of co- morbidities, and in oral cavity reconstructions. Conclusions: The pectoralis major myocutaneous pedicled flap is still an acceptable method of head and neck reconstruction. It is fast, reliable, provides safe repair and is indicated especially where bulk is needed.


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 ◽  
...  

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebekka Götzl ◽  
Sebastian Sterzinger ◽  
Sabine Semrau ◽  
Nikolaos Vassos ◽  
Werner Hohenberger ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze major complication rates and different aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS) patients treated with or without radio (chemo) therapy and surgery. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent Extremity STS excision from 2004 to 2014 (182 patients included). Patients’ data were collected from patients’ records. HRQoL was assessed by using EORTC QLQ-C30. Results A total of 182 patients underwent sarcoma resection. After neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (RCT), the major-complication rate amounted to 28% (vs. 7%, no radiotherapy, p <  0.001). Major-complication rates after adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) occurred in 8% (vs. 7%, no radiotherapy, p = 0.265). Comparison QoL scores between treating with neoadjuvant RCT or without RT revealed significant worse scores with neoadjuvant RCT. Further stratification of disease control of these patients showed significant reduced scores in the group of disease-free patients with neoadjuvant RCT compared to irradiated disease-free patients. Discussion To date, there have only been a few investigations of QoL in STS. Retrospective study on quality of life have limitations, like a lack of baseline evaluation of QoL. Patient candidated to radiation therapy could have had worse QoL baseline due to more advanced disease. Disease status of the patients who answered the questionnaires could have been an influence of QoL and we could show reduced scores in the group of disease-free patients with neoadjuvant RCT, but not for the patients with recurrence or metastasis, so it is very hard to discriminate whether radiation therapy could really have an impact or not. Conclusion This study might assist in further improving the understanding of QoL in STS patients and may animate for prospective studies examining the oncological therapies impact on HRQoL.


2019 ◽  
Vol 161 (4) ◽  
pp. 568-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhinav R. Ettyreddy ◽  
Collin L. Chen ◽  
Joseph Zenga ◽  
Laura E. Simon ◽  
Patrik Pipkorn

ObjectiveAblations of locally advanced or recurrent head and neck cancer commonly result in large composite orofacial defects. Chimeric flaps represent a unique surgical option for these defects, as they provide diverse tissue types from a single donor site. The purpose of the study was to consolidate the literature on chimeric flaps with regard to postoperative complication rates to help inform surgical decision making.Data SourcesThe librarian created search strategies with a combination of keywords and controlled vocabulary in Ovid Medline (1946), Embase (1947), Scopus (1823), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Clinicaltrails.gov (1997).Review MethodsCandidate articles were independently reviewed by 2 authors familiar with the subject material, and inclusion/exclusion criteria were uniformly applied for article selection. Articles were considered eligible if they included patients who received a single chimeric flap for reconstruction of head and neck defects and if they provided data on complication rates.ResultsA total of 521 chimeric flaps were included in the study. The major complication rate was 22.6%, while the minor complication rate was 14.0%. There were 7 flap deaths noted in the series. Median operative time and harvest time were 15.0 and 2.5 hours, respectively.ConclusionChimeric flaps represent a viable option for reconstruction of complex head and neck defects and have complication rates similar to those of double free flaps and single free flaps with locoregional flap while only modestly increasing total operative time.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document