title: [Project to improve the free flap survival rate in oral cancer microreconstruction free flap surgery].
abstract: Free-flap thrombosis risk factors affect the success of microreconstruction surgery that involves the use of a free flap. The free flap survival rate in our unit was 92.65%. Relevant risk factors identified included: (1) poor nursing assessment cognizance and low accuracy rates; (2) lack of standardized of postoperative monitoring protocols; (3) lack of assessment tools; (4) inadequate inter-team communication; and (5) lack of a free flap care monitoring audit.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this project was to improve the free flap survival rate from 92.65% to at least 97%.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors: (1) held relevant educational training programs; (2) evaluated nurse skills in clinical settings; (3) established a standardized nursing monitoring protocol; (4) provided sufficient assessment equipment; (5) improved inter-team communication mechanisms; and (6) formulated a monitoring audit protocol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The free flap survival rate rose from 92.65% to 100%, with no failed flaps during the assessment period December 2011 to May 2012.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The resolutions proposed by this project may significantly improve the free flap survival rate.
authors: Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, ROC. 890060@ms.kmuh.org.tw.
authors: Tsai-Rung
authors: TR
authors: Lin
authors: Ching-I
authors: CI
authors: Yang
authors: Chao-Ying
authors: CY
authors: Wu
authors: Yu-Mei
authors: YM
authors: Liao
mesh_terms: D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006801:Humans; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D015996:Survival Rate
keywords: microsurguical free flap; oral cancer; survival rate