Outcome after radial forearm, gastro-omental, and jejunal free flaps in oral and oropharyngeal reconstruction.
We undertook a retrospective study of the outcome of radial forearm, gastro-omental, and jejunal free tissue transfer for oral and oropharyngeal reconstruction in 30 patients (10 in each group). No significant differences were found between the type of free flap and the clinical outcome. More long-term difficulties were experienced with swallowing than with speech. The selection of free flap did not correlate with speech function (P=0.44), swallowing (P=0.68), or management of saliva (P=0.59). No significant difference was found between the patients' outcome and the site of resection of the tumour. There were more complications after gastro-omental flaps and this may influence the choice of reconstruction.
Smith
G I
GI
Specialist Registrar in Maxillofacial Surgery, Poole Hospital NHS Trust, Poole, Dorset, UK. lcgi.smith@virgin.net
Brennan
P A
PA
Scott
P J
PJ
Ilankovan
V
V
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007583:Jejunum / Q000637:transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D009852:Omentum / Q000637:transplantation; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D011884:Radius / Q000637:transplantation; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012798:Sialorrhea / Q000209:etiology; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome