Jejunal free-flap reconstruction complicated by development of post-irradiation sarcoma: what information should patients receive about the long-term effects of radiotherapy for head and neck tumours?
Jejunal free-flap reconstruction is a well recognized, reliable technique commonly used for reconstruction of the upper aero-digestive tract following surgery for malignancy, and radiotherapy is commonly used as an adjuvant treatment in such cases. Unfortunately, post-irradiation sarcomas are a well recognized complication of radiotherapy and generally have a poor prognosis. We report what we believe to be the first case of radiation-induced sarcoma in a free-flap jejunal graft and discuss the information that should be given to patients undergoing radiotherapy to head and neck tumours.
Smith
D R K
DR
University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, Wales, UK.
Woolley
S L
SL
D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000209:etiology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000209:etiology*; D013524:Surgical Flaps