title: Evaluation of bone length and number of osteotomies utilizing the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap for mandible reconstruction: An 8-year review of complications and flap survival.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of bone harvest length and multiple osteotomies on osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (RFFF) complication rates.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients undergoing osteocutaneous RFFF reconstruction during an 8-year period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred fifty-five osteocutaneous RFFF procedures were performed. Recipient-site flap complications were 18 of 55 (32.7%) when bone harvest length was less than 7 cm and 40 of 100 (40.0%) when it was ≥7 cm. No osteotomies were performed in 69 of 155 cases with a corresponding complication rate of 30.4% (21 of 69). One osteotomy was utilized in 69 of 155 flaps, whereas 17 of 155 required more than 1 osteotomy; complications were experienced in 42% (29 of 69) and 47% (8 of 17) of these cases, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Osteocutaneous RFFF complication rates were only slightly higher when the bone length was ≥7 cm or when multiple osteotomies were required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
authors.forename: Dustin A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Silverman
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
authors.forename: Wojciech H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Przylecki
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
authors.forename: Jill M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Arganbright
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
authors.forename: Yelizaveta
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shnayder
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
authors.forename: Kiran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kakarala
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Kansas City, Kansas.
authors.forename: Niaman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nazir
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
authors.forename: Terance T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Tsue
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
authors.forename: Douglas A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Girod
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.|Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
authors.forename: Brian T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Andrews
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery*; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D063175:Mandibular Reconstruction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: bone length; complications; mandible reconstruction; osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (RFFF); osteotomies