Outcomes after free tissue transfer for composite oral cavity resections involving skin.

Outcomes after free tissue transfer for composite oral cavity resections involving skin.

Head Neck. 2018 Jan 23;:

Authors: Alvi SA, Hamill CS, Lepse JP, Ayala M, Girod DA, Tsue TT, Shnayder Y, Kakarala K

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Resections involving oral cavity mucosa, bone, and skin present a unique challenge. Optimizing outcomes often requires technically demanding reconstruction. The purpose of this study is to evaluate outcomes of several reconstructive approaches for patients with composite through-and-through defects, with a focus on the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (RFFF).
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective evaluation of the cohort of patients treated for composite through-and-through defects with cutaneous involvement who underwent free flap reconstruction from August 2012 through October 2015.
RESULTS: Seventeen patients received a single flap (12 cases of osteocutaneous RFFF), whereas 10 patients underwent a combination of flaps. Complication rates and functional outcomes were favorable in patients who underwent osteocutaneous RFFFs. The supraclavicular artery island flap (SCAIF) was used as a second flap in 3 cases.
CONCLUSION: The osteocutaneous RFFF provides a valuable reconstructive option for complex composite resection defects involving skin. When 2 flaps are required, the SCAIF is a viable alternative to a second free flap or pectoralis flap.

PMID: 29360278 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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