Eric V Mastrolonardo, Sarah Sussman, Pablo Llerena, Dev R Amin, Kathryn Nunes, Kelly Bridgham, Emma De Ravin, Daniel J Campbell, Aarti Agarwal, Ramez Philips, Fahad Rind, Ryan Ivancic, Wesley McIlwain, Stephen Y Kang, Yadranko Ducic, Larissa Sweeny, Mauricio A Moreno, René P Meyers, Carissa M Thomas, Karthik Rajasekaran, Mark Wax, Joseph M Curry, Matthew M Hanasono
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Flow-through flaps (FTFs) are an advanced technique in which a free flap is anastomosed to the pedicle of another free flap to reconstruct extensive head and neck defects when recipient vessels are scarce.
Methods: A multi-institutional cohort of FTFs used for head and neck reconstruction were reviewed. For comparison, FTF outcomes were compared to free flaps that required vein grafts (VG) to reach distant recipient vessels.
Results: A total of forty-two patients underwent surgery using a FTF configuration, including 32 simultaneous and 10 sequential FTFs. There were no instances of flap failure compared to a 7% flap failure rate in the VG group (n = 54). The overall postoperative complication rate was 28% compared to a 46% complication rate in the VG group (p = 0.093).
Conclusion: FTFs are a reliable option for reconstruction of extensive head and neck defects when recipient blood vessel availability is limited.
期刊介绍:
Head & Neck is an international multidisciplinary publication of original contributions concerning the diagnosis and management of diseases of the head and neck. This area involves the overlapping interests and expertise of several surgical and medical specialties, including general surgery, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, oral surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology, pathology, radiotherapy, medical oncology, and the corresponding basic sciences.