Quality of life in head and neck cancer patients at 5 years after free flap reconstruction: a significant decline during the follow-up

Purpose Free flap reconstructions following head and neck tumor resection are known to involve more than 50% rate of complications and other adverse events and up to 50% mortality during a 5-year follow-up. We aimed to examine the difference in the long-term quality of life (QoL) between the 2-year and 5-year assessments after free flap surgery for cancer of the head and neck. Methods A total of 28 of the 39 eligible patients responded to the survey. QoL was assessed at 5 years after operation and compared with the assessment performed at 2 years after the operation using RAND-36, EORTC-C30 and H&N-35, and SWAL-QOL tools. Results The criteria for poor QoL using RAND-36 tool was met in 11 (39.3%) patients in contrast to 4 (14.3%, P = 0.003) patients in the 2-year assessment. EORTC-C30 global score was decreased from 83.9 (SD16.4) to 64.6 (SD 24.0, P < 0.001) during the follow-up. In both RAND-36 and EORTC-C30 surveys, decline was found in physical and role functioning together with energy and emotional well-being domains. SWAL-QOL showed poor swallowing-related QoL in both assessments. Conclusion We found a significant decline in QoL during a 5-year follow-up after free flap surgery for cancer of the head and neck.

Adverse Outcomes Following Free Tissue Transfer: A 3-year Experience From a Major Referral Centre

BackgroundFree tissue transfer encompasses a variety of techniques by which tissue is moved to another region of the body, with anastomosis of the divided artery and vein. Currently, success rates are reported at 91-99% [1], however, little is known regarding predictors for adverse outcomes.We aim at identifying predictors for negative outcomes following free flap surgery; and predict that elderly patients and patients with head and neck free flaps will have inferior outcomes due to comorbidity.MethodsThis is a retrospective case series. All free flap surgeries between 02/2018 to 02/2021 were identified using the electronic operation record system at Flinders Medical Centre. Chi squared hypothesis testing assessed patient factors and implications on outcome. Results67 patients of varying demographics were included in this study. The odds of wound infection was much higher in patients aged older than 65 (OR: 4.1 (95%CI 1.24-13.6, z-score: 2.31, p=0.017)). The odds of unplanned reoperation was also higher in this population (OR: 13.7 (95%CI 1.42-132.9, p=0.0053)). Free flap location was significant in determining whether patients would require a subsequent blood transfusion (p=0.0071). Head and neck patients did not experience a higher rate of adverse events.ConclusionPatients aged 65 and older are more likely to require treatment for infection and more often require reoperation because of flap related issues. Patients with limb free flaps are more likely to require transfusions. Head and neck patients did not have higher complication rates.

Medicine Matters: Special Considerations For Sglt2 Inhibitors And Prolonged Nothing Per Os Status Following Free Flap Surgery (Preprint)

UNSTRUCTURED A 59-year-old female patient undergoing deep inferior epigastric perforator flap surgery for autologous breast reconstruction became acutely ill with tachypnea, nausea, and vomiting on post-operative day three. A work-up elucidated a diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) with lower-than-expected glucose levels as a result of recent semaglutide use. She required intensive care unit resuscitation with an insulin drip and glucose administration. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are a class of oral anti-hyperglycemic agents used for the treatment of type II diabetes (DMII). As the use of these medications become more prevalent, surgeons must be educated of this serious complication and plan for patient management in advance of minor and major surgeries.

Plastic and burns surgery

This chapter discusses the anaesthetic management of plastic and burns surgery. It begins with general principles of the anaesthetic management of plastic surgical patients. Surgical procedures covered include breast augmentation, reconstruction and reduction surgery; free flap surgery; liposuction; skin grafting and burns reconstructive surgery. The chapter includes pertinent anaesthetic features for a series of additional miscellaneous plastic surgical operations.

Primary thrombolysis for free flap surgery in head and neck reconstruction: a case report and review

The use of free flaps is an essential and reliable method of reconstruction in complex head and neck defects. Flap failure remains the most feared complication, the most common cause being pedicle thrombosis. Among other measures, thrombolysis is useful when manual thrombectomy has failed to restore flap perfusion, in the setting of late or established thrombosis, or in arterial thrombosis with distal clot propagation. We report a case of pedicle arterial thrombosis with distal clot propagation which occurred during reconstruction of a maxillectomy defect, and was successfully treated with thrombolysis using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. We also review the literature regarding the use of thrombolysis in free flap surgery, and propose an algorithm for the salvage of free flaps in head and neck reconstruction.

Head and Neck Reconstruction in Patients with Polycythemia Vera: Case Series and Literature Review

Background Polycythemia vera (PV) is a myeloproliferative disease with overproduction of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets causing an increased risk of both thrombosis and hemorrhage. There are limited reports and no established guidelines for managing such patients undergoing reconstructive surgery. Methods We present four patients with PV and head and neck cancer who required reconstruction after resection and provide a review of the current literature. Results Preoperatively, patients on cytoreductive therapy continued with their treatment throughout their hospital course and had hematologic parameters normalized with phlebotomy or transfusions if needed. Two patients who underwent free flap surgery (cases 1 and 2) had postoperative courses complicated by hematoma formation and persistent anemia, requiring multiple transfusions. Cases 3 and 4 (JAK2+ PV and JAK2− PV, respectively) underwent locoregional flap without postoperative complications. Conclusion Concomitant presentation of PV and head and neck cancer is uncommon and presents unique challenges for the reconstructive surgeon. Overall, we recommend that patients should have hematologic parameters optimized prior to surgery, continue ruxolitinib or hydroxyurea, and hold antiplatelet/anticoagulation per established department protocols. It is essential to engage a multidisciplinary team involving hematology, head and neck and reconstructive surgery, anesthesia, and critical care to develop a standardized approach for managing this unique subset of patients.

1119 Readdressing Consent in Head & Neck Free Flap Surgery: The Nottingham Experience

Aim The Montgomery vs NHS Lanarkshire case in 2015 led to a paradigm shift in the consent process within surgery. It became incumbent upon clinicians to outline all “material risks” prior to a procedure. Within head and neck surgery, the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway addresses this obligation through a multi-disciplinary approach. The aim of this audit was to assess the effect of the existing ERAS pathway on the consent process. Method 35 head and neck oncology cases involving free flap reconstruction were identified across two audit cycles. Cases pre- and post-introduction of the ERAS pathway were analysed to assess whether the existing pathway led to improvement in consent quality. 8 key consent elements were identified based on a review of current literature and guidelines. This was our gold standard. A tick-box system was devised, and each case assigned a percentage score based on compliance with these criteria. A consent checklist was introduced within the ERAS pathway file alongside multi-disciplinary documentation which would follow the patient from the pre-operative environment through to discharge. Results Prior to the introduction of the ERAS pathway, there was a 58% compliance with the gold standard. Upon implementation of the ERAS protocol, compliance rose to 65%. Following introduction of the checklist, compliance rose further to 85%. This resulted in an overall increase in compliance of 27%. Conclusions We recommend the introduction of a focused consent checklist within any unit providing major head and neck reconstruction procedures in order to ensure informed consent, mitigating medico-legal risks post-operatively.