A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Complications and loss of free flaps after reconstructions for oral cancer
Authors: E. Marttila, H. Thorén, J. Törnwall, A. Viitikko, T. Wilkman
Publisher: CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE
Publication year: 2018
Journal: British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Journal name in source: BRITISH JOURNAL OF ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
Journal acronym: BRIT J ORAL MAX SURG
Volume: 56
Issue: 9
First page : 835
Last page: 840
Number of pages: 6
ISSN: 0266-4356
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjoms.2018.09.005
Abstract
The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse the incidence of complications and loss of flaps after primary reconstructions for oral cancer in 191 patients at our hospital over the five years 2005-2010. The patients' clinical and personal details, characteristics of the tumours, types of microvascular flap, complications, and outcomes were recorded. The soft tissue flaps used most often were the fasciocutaneous radial forearm free flap (RFFF) (n = 86, 45%) and the anterolateral thigh free flap (ALTFF) (n = 48, 25%) while the most commonly used osseous flap was the deep circumflex iliac artery flap (DCIA) (n = 25, 13%). There were postoperative complications that required intervention in a quarter of the patients, most often in the age group 41-50 years (p = 0.018). Older age was not associated with the development of complications. The overall survival of all free flaps was 181/191 (95%), and the only significant individual predictor of loss of a flap was reconstruction with a DCIA (p = 0.016), five of the 25 of which were lost. We conclude therefore that DCIA free flaps are associated with an increased risk of failure; the method of osseous reconstruction for maxillofacial reconstruction should be selected carefully; and carefully chosen older patients do not seem to be at increased risk of morbidity.
The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse the incidence of complications and loss of flaps after primary reconstructions for oral cancer in 191 patients at our hospital over the five years 2005-2010. The patients' clinical and personal details, characteristics of the tumours, types of microvascular flap, complications, and outcomes were recorded. The soft tissue flaps used most often were the fasciocutaneous radial forearm free flap (RFFF) (n = 86, 45%) and the anterolateral thigh free flap (ALTFF) (n = 48, 25%) while the most commonly used osseous flap was the deep circumflex iliac artery flap (DCIA) (n = 25, 13%). There were postoperative complications that required intervention in a quarter of the patients, most often in the age group 41-50 years (p = 0.018). Older age was not associated with the development of complications. The overall survival of all free flaps was 181/191 (95%), and the only significant individual predictor of loss of a flap was reconstruction with a DCIA (p = 0.016), five of the 25 of which were lost. We conclude therefore that DCIA free flaps are associated with an increased risk of failure; the method of osseous reconstruction for maxillofacial reconstruction should be selected carefully; and carefully chosen older patients do not seem to be at increased risk of morbidity.
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