Assessment of volume changes of radial forearm free flaps in head and neck cancer: long-term results.
The goal of this study was to evaluate changes in radial forearm free flap (RFFF) volumes after 5 years of follow-up after ablative tumor surgery in the head and neck. Eighteen patients underwent RFFF reconstruction. Flap volumes were measured by computerized segmentation of CT or MR images. Average postoperative 3 months, and 1, 3, and 5 years flap volumes were 167.4, 129.0, 104.9, and 88.7 cm³, respectively. Average percentage changes between 3 months and 1-year, 3 months and 3-years, and 3 months and 5-years scans were 20.4, 30.3, and 42.7%, respectively. A significant relation was found between postoperative irradiation and RFFF volume changes from 3 months to 5 years (p=0.046). Overcorrection with a 40% greater RFFF volume is recommended for the reconstruction of tumor-related defects in the head and neck.
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Young-Hoon
YH
Joo
Se-Hwan
SH
Hwang
Dong-Il
DI
Sun
Jun-Ook
JO
Park
Kwang-Jae
KJ
Cho
Min-Sik
MS
Kim
D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome