Remote peripheral tissue oxygenation does not predict postoperative free flap complications in complex head and neck cancer surgery: A prospective cohort study.
BACKGROUND
Patients undergoing free flap reconstruction after head and neck cancer may develop free flap complications. In the perioperative period, haemoglobin content and oxygen tissue saturation (StO2) measured directly on the free flap reflect peripheral tissue oxygenation. However, in this type of surgery, StO2cannot always be applied directly or proximate to the free flap. The aim of this study was to assess the possible value of StO2measured at the thenar eminence and other 24hour perioperative factors on free flap complications.


METHODS
Inclusion criteria corresponded to patients with head and neck cancer with free flap surgery in whom direct StO2could not be monitored on the flap nor in its peripheral area. Patient characteristics and intraoperative data, such as haemoglobin and fluid management, were prospectively collected. StO2was measured remotely on the thenar eminence. Data were collected for 24hours and free flap complications were recorded for up to 15days after surgery. Patients were thereafter classified into two groups: with or without free flap complications and the data were compared in consequence.


RESULTS
Forty consecutive patients were prospectively included. Ten patients had postoperative free flap complications and were compared to the 30 other patients without complications. The haemoglobin level at the reperfusion of the flap: (AUC 0.80 [0.65-0.91], threshold 9.9g/dL, P<0.001) and body mass index [BMI] (AUC 0.80 [0.64-0.72], threshold 24.5kg/m2, P<0.01) were significantly related to complications.


CONCLUSIONS
In head and neck complex oncologic reconstructive surgery, haemoglobin and BMI were the most sensitive tools for predicting postoperative free flap complications, while thenar eminence StO2was not.
Department of anesthesiology and plastic surgery, Gustave-Roussy Cancer Institute, 114, rue Édouard-Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif, France.
Marie-Laurence
ML
Guye
Department of anesthesiology and plastic surgery, Gustave-Roussy Cancer Institute, 114, rue Édouard-Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif, France. Electronic address: motamed@igr.fr.
Cyrus
C
Motamed
Department of anesthesiology and plastic surgery, Gustave-Roussy Cancer Institute, 114, rue Édouard-Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif, France.
Sarah
S
Chemam
Department of anesthesiology and plastic surgery, Gustave-Roussy Cancer Institute, 114, rue Édouard-Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif, France.
Nicolas
N
Leymarie
Department of anesthesiology and plastic surgery, Gustave-Roussy Cancer Institute, 114, rue Édouard-Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif, France.
Stéphanie
S
Suria
Department of anesthesiology and plastic surgery, Gustave-Roussy Cancer Institute, 114, rue Édouard-Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif, France.
Grégoire
G
Weil
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000098:blood supply*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010092:Oximetry; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects*
D006454:Hemoglobins
BMI; Erythrocyte count; NIRS; Oximetry; Perioperative care; Surgical flap