title: Free flaps for head and neck reconstruction in non-oncological patients: experience of 200 cases.
abstract: Two hundred free flaps for reconstructing the head and neck regions in 192 patients with non-oncological pathology were studied. Pathological entities included Romberg's disease, hemifacial microsomia, acquired facial palsy, trauma, and burn sequelae. Indications for selecting a specific free flap for reconstructing each case, details of anastomoses, reexploration, flap success, operative time, length of hospitalization, and complications were studied. The long-term results of cosmetic and function were also obtained. Patient age ranged from 6 to 40 years. The most common diagnosis was Romberg's disease 39% (n = 75), followed by hemifacial microsomia 20% (n = 40). The free flap most frequently used was the scapular 32% (n = 64), followed by the groin free flap 21% (n = 42). A total of 190 flaps (95%) were successful, whereas only 10 (5%) were lost. The mean operative time was 5:30 h and the average hospital stay was only 6 days. There were no major complications and no deaths in the study group. The patients were followed for at least 1 year in all cases. It is concluded that free flaps are safe and reliable procedures for reconstructing complex head and neck non-oncological defects.
authors.affiliation: Private Clinic, General Hospital Dr. Manuel Gea Gonzalez and National University of Mexico, Mexico D.F., Mexico.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Iñigo
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jimenez-Murat
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Arroyo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martinez B
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ysunza
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D003286:Contracture / Q000601:surgery; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000601:surgery*; D005150:Facial Hemiatrophy / Q000601:surgery*; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008060:Lipodystrophy / Q000601:surgery; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps