Free flap survival despite early loss of the vascular pedicle.
BACKGROUND
Early success of microvascular free tissue transfer is dependent upon the patency of the primary vascular pedicle. In time, neovascularization from the recipient bed and surrounding wound margins into the graft may be sufficient to maintain flap viability. The time necessary for successful neovascularization to occur is unclear. Most believe that prior radiation therapy will delay this process.


METHODS
This case report describes a patient, status postchemoradiotherapy, who underwent composite resection with anterolateral thigh free flap reconstruction for a new base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma. On postoperative day 9 the vascular pedicle thrombosed secondary to abscess formation.


RESULTS
Despite early loss of the arterial and venous pedicle, the flap survived completely.


CONCLUSIONS
After microvascular free tissue transfer, neovascularization sufficient to maintain flap viability independent of the primary vascular pedicle may occur by postoperative day 9. This early revascularization can also occur despite a history of radiotherapy.
Wise
Sean R
SR
Department of Otolaryngology, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
Harsha
Wayne J
WJ
Kim
Namou
N
Hayden
Richard E
RE
D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009060:Mouth Floor / Q000473:pathology; D009333:Neck; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000528:radiation effects; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D013997:Time Factors; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D014654:Vascular Patency; D020246:Venous Thrombosis