title: Omental free flap reconstruction in complex head and neck deformities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Microvascular free flaps continue to revolutionize coverage options in head and neck reconstruction. This article reviews our 25-year experience with omental free tissue transfers.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients who underwent free omental transfer to the head and neck region were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-five patients were included with omental transfers to the scalp (25%), craniofacial (62%), and neck (13%) region. Indications were tumor resections, burn wound, hemifacial atrophy, trauma, and moyamoya disease. Average follow-up was 3.1 years (range, 2 months-13 years). Donor site morbidities included abdominal wound infection, gastric outlet obstruction, and postoperative bleeding. Recipient site morbidities included partial flap loss in four patients (7%) total flap loss in two patients (3.6%), and three hematomas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The omental free flap has acceptable abdominal morbidity and provides sufficient soft tissue coverage with a 96.4% survival. The thickness \and versatility of omentum provide sufficient contour molding for craniofacial reconstruction. It is an attractive alternative for reconstruction of large scalp defects and badly irradiated tissue.
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Center, 1365B Clifton Rd, NE, Atlanta Georgia 30322, USA.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Losken
authors.forename: Grant W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Culbertson
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scott Hultman
authors.forename: Ajay V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Glyn E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bostwick
authors.forename: Maurice J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Jurkiewicz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002056:Burns / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000601:surgery; D005150:Facial Hemiatrophy / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000601:surgery*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery*; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D009852:Omentum / Q000637:transplantation*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply