title: Intensive nursing care of patients with a microvascular free flap after maxillofacial surgery.
abstract: This article provides an introduction to the care of patients following maxillofacial surgery, many of whom undergo the complexities of microvascular flap surgery and need careful nursing assessment in the postoperative period. A brief introduction to this surgery illustrates some of the potential reasons for admission to the intensive care unit. The nursing care is vital to maintain the survival of the flap, the details of which are discussed along with factors which potentially contribute to flap failure. Other considerations such as haemodynamic stability, postoperative complications, the importance of education and other options for postoperative management also form further points for discussion.
authors.affiliation: Adult Intensive Care Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Haskins
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps