title: Free tissue reconstruction following excision of head and neck arteriovenous malformations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate free tissue transfer (FTT) as a safe and effective reconstructive technique to treat arteriovenous malformations. Vascular lesions that present a significant clinical challenge to the head and neck reconstructive surgeon are often difficult to treat and can leave large, complex defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective, single-institution case series.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We describe 8 patients treated for extensive lesions in various parts of the head and neck reconstructed with free flaps. These malformations have a tendency to recur, which was the case in 75% of our patients (6 of 8) during a mean follow-up period of 5 years. Revision procedures are expected at a mean rate of 6.75 per person in our series.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arteriovenous malformations are uncommon and challenging lesions. Use of FTT can ameliorate the large defects resulting from excision of these lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
authors.forename: Larry D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Hartzell
authors.forename: Brendan C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Stack
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yuen
authors.forename: Emre
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vural
authors.forename: James Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Suen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D055815:Young Adult