title: Free flaps in orbital exenteration: a safe and effective method for reconstruction.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the course of reconstructive treatment and outcomes with use of free flaps after orbital exenteration for malignancy. Charts of patients who had free flap reconstruction after orbital exenteration were retrospectively reviewed and the surgical technique was evaluated. Demographics, histology, surgical management, complications, locoregional control, and survival were analyzed. We performed 22 flaps in 21 patients. Reconstruction was undertaken mainly with anterolateral thigh (56 %), radial forearm (22 %), or parascapular (22 %) free flaps. Complications occurred in 33 % of patients and the flap's success rate was 91 %. The 5-year locoregional control and survival rates were 42 and 37 %, respectively. Free tissue transfer is a reliable, safe, and effective method for repair of defects of the orbit and periorbital structures resulting from oncologic resection. The anterolateral thigh flap is a versatile option to reconstruct the many orbital defects encountered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Skull Base Unit, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain. flopez_1981@yahoo.es
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Suárez
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carnero
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martín
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Camporro
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Llorente
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005260:Female; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013848:Thigh / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome