title: Reconstruction of head and neck cancer with double flaps: comparison of single and double recipient vessels.
abstract: Patients with advanced head and neck cancers require reconstruction with a double free flap, but in some situations, it is extremely difficult to attain the ideal set of recipient vessels for these patients. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 had one recipient vessel; group 2 had two recipient vessels. Fifty-five patients were enrolled between 2001 and 2005. Double flaps, including a fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap and an anterolateral thigh flap, were used for the reconstruction. In group 1, the second flap was anastomosed at the distal runoff of the fibular flap. Group 1 contained 39 patients and group 2 had 16 patients. No significant differences in the success rate, operating time, days of hospitalization, or complication rate were noted between groups 1 and 2. Thus using one recipient vessel is our first choice for double free-flap reconstruction for head and neck defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital - Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Hsien, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Pao-Yuan
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yur-Ren
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Chih-Yen
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chien
authors.forename: Seng-Feng
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Jeng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012086:Reoperation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D016896:Treatment Outcome