Free flaps in head and neck reconstructive surgery: a review of 77 cases.
Recent advances in surgical technique and instrumentation have ensured that success rates for microvascular free transfer can now exceed 90%. This paper reviews a prospective study of 77 free flaps performed at the Royal Marsden Hospital under the care of one surgeon (NMB) over a 2-year period. 76 patients who underwent 77 free flaps were studied. 68 patients had malignant tumours and 8 had benign lesions. The flap success rate was 95% and the mortality rate 0%. The major complication rate was 20% and the most common complication was a salivary fistula (12%). Microvascular free transfer to the head and neck is not associated with increased morbidity and mortality. It offers single stage, reliable, effective reconstruction using a wide variety of donor sites and tissues.
Department of Head and Neck Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK.
J C
JC
Watkinson
N M
NM
Breach
D006257:Head / Q000601:surgery*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*