Factors affecting cancer recurrence after microvascular flap reconstruction of the head and neck.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to determine which factors are associated with cancer recurrence after microvascular reconstruction of the head and neck for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).


METHODS
A cohort of patients who fit the inclusion/exclusion criteria were identified retrospectively.


METHODS
A group of 184 patients who underwent successful surgical resection and simultaneous microvascular reconstruction of the head and neck for treatment of SCC were identified. The mean age was 60 (range 23-90) years, there were 115 males and 69 females, and mean follow-up was 26.2 (range 1-99) months. Various factors were analyzed to determine whether they were associated with cancer recurrence, including those pertaining to 1) recipient vessel choice, 2) prior cancer treatment, and 3) cancer staging criteria. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software.


RESULTS
Overall cancer stage (P = .005), T stage (P = .0001), history of previous cancer treatment (P = .004), and history of previous chemotherapy (P = .044) were found to be statistically significant predictors of cancer recurrence on univariate analysis. However, on multivariate analysis, only T stage (P = .005) and history of previous cancer treatment (P = .008) remained as statistically significant predictors of cancer recurrence. Recipient vessel selection was not statistically associated with cancer recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
In our study, only T stage and a history of previous cancer treatment were associated with increased cancer recurrence. Neither the recipient vessel chosen nor its location impacted cancer recurrence. This suggests that recipient vessel selection and preparation for microvascular reconstruction do not jeopardize the adequacy of oncologic resection and are therefore oncologically sound.
Roostaeian
Jason
J
Division of Head and Neck Surgery, the Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1624, U.S.A.
Suh
Jeffrey D
JD
Sercarz
Joel A
JA
Abemayor
Elliot
E
Lee
Jivianne T
JT
Blackwell
Keith E
KE
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000637:transplantation; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D037981:Neck Dissection; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011336:Probability; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D016019:Survival Analysis